The Sword

Jesus is about to send his disciples on their missions because He knows that the end is near.  He sent them out to these towns to prepare the way so that more people might hear the gospel.  It's an important mission.  He sends them out with power and authority.  You might think this mission would be a cakewalk.  A victory.  But in our text today, Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case.  Jesus says that He did not come to bring peace but a sword.  I'm sure the disciples say yeah, bring us a sword.  Bring this world into submission.  Strike down the wicked and fight the rebellion.  But Jesus when He says He is bringing a sword.  He's not addressing the world.  He's not talking to the world.  He talking to the disciples.  Because following Jesus for the disciples doesn't mean all their problems are going to go away.  Just the opposite.  It means they will face a sword.  It means that following Jesus for the disciples means the opposite.  It means they will face the sword.  It means following Jesus the disciples isn't going to look like a victory march.  Following Jesus for them is going to look like a man carrying His cross up a hill to die.  Disciples of Jesus have no easy task before them when they follow Jesus.  Not all of your problems will go away.  When we bind our lives to Jesus we bear the marks and He shows us His own.  He came into the word to bear our pains so we become indelibly bound to Him.  And one day we will share his joy.