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Not Peace, But a Sword

knight armor

Imagine as Jesus is equipping his disciples to go out on their own and proclaim the good news that he is also warning against major catastrophic events. He promised them persecution and major, major rejection. Rejection and opposition are enough to shut most people down. When we feel intimidated, or even like we don’t meet the approval of others, we tend to wear out or shut down.

Opposition can take its toll on people, which is why it was so important that Jesus prepared his disciples to experience it. He could have removed obstacles and ushered in peace, but that’s not even what Jesus’ purpose was. In fact, the message of repentance and salvation was quite offensive to the masses. People are willing to fight, become violent, and and even kill for their own convictions.

In preparing his disciples, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Matthew 10:34-35 ESV). Jesus was not calling his disciples to be disruptive and violent. His point was that the message was offensive and people would turn violent, therefore his followers needed to be alert and not allow themselves to be destroyed.

The question at hand is, “Are you willing to lose family for me?” People would have to choose between faith or family. Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (vs. 37). We cannot forsake Christ for the sake of family or “keeping peace.” Jesus calls his people to radically follow him, no matter the cost.

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Don’t Fear Them!

woman placing her finger between her lips

We’ve spent the past few weeks discussing Jesus’ method for recruiting, training, and sending his twelve apostles, as well as additional disciples. Jesus went through this entire process very quickly. He didn’t drag his feet or string the disciples along. Instead, he called them to immediately and completely follow him, he warned them of impending persecution, and then sent them out among the wolves.

Then, as he sent them out, he said, “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim it on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:26-28 ESV).

Anyone who has ever been oppressed, persecuted, or controlled in any way knows how terrifying people can be. People who have power to control others instill a deep sense of fear. They use threats and intimidation to control their victims, rendering them powerless and often physically, emotionally, and spiritually unwell. Jesus was in stark contrast to oppressors. He was a safe shelter for people who lived in constant fear. His disciples were going to be intimidated, beaten, shamed, and threatened to stop speaking.

Jesus didn’t tell them to lay low. Instead, he told them not to fear and to speak truth even louder! This is a timeless message that we still need to hear 2,000 years later!

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Beware of Men

gray and white wolf

When Jesus sent his disciples out into the towns, he warned them that persecution was waiting for them. They were going to be drug before courts, experience floggings in their synagogues, and were going to be dragged before governors and kings for Jesus’ sake. This was a very sobering thing to tell his brand-new disciples. Imagine, Jesus told his followers to leave everything behind, including jobs and family, and gave no timeline for how long they would be on the move.

Very shortly after they left everything, he split them up into groups and sent them out into towns, but with a very stern warning: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16 ESV). Then he warned them of the types of persecution they would encounter along the way. But then the warning gets worse: “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (vs. 21-22).

“Pastors resigning” is trending this week on social media because people are realizing how many preachers are leaving ministry this year due to, it is thought, the stresses of the pandemic. I’m seeing some of these people leaving ministry talk about their “persecution.” Trust that internal struggles, tensions, and even in-fighting is not the same as persecution. Jesus clearly defined persecution, and warned his disciples that they would face it immediately. This training proved to be very good, because the early church would face severe persecution and would thrive in that environment.

Perhaps we should better equip each other to face severe punishment. Traumatic experiences tend to cripple people today because forgiveness is used as a weapon, instead of teaching Christians to stand up to these evils of oppression and persecution.

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Jesus Sends the Twelve

brown leather duffel bag

Jesus hand selected twelve apostles to follow him wherever he went. They were given authority over every demon and were given the ability to heal every disease and affliction. What’s astonishing is that Jesus chose mostly uneducated people who were ordinary tradesmen. Several of them owned fishing businesses and Matthew was a tax collector. We find that the most extraordinary characteristic was their faith to follow and their hard work ethic.

When Jesus sent the Twelve out into the towns to heal and proclaim the kingdom, he said, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. . . Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay” (Matthew 10:5, 6, 8 ESV). He further instructed them not to take anything extra for the journey. They were told to take the clothing and food they already had, and no more.

Not only that, but they were to “find out who is worthy in it (the town or village) and stay there until you depart” (vs. 11). If the house was worthy, Jesus told them to let their peace come upon it and if not, they were to “let your peace return to you.” This is important because Jesus did not want them preoccupied with money, jobs, or the worries of life. As important, he did not want them wasting time in places where the good news was not welcome.

This same message is equally important for us today. Churches shouldn’t spend time, money, and resources on things that don’t produce fruit. Christ’s concern is that all come to repentance and a full knowledge of Christ and the kingdom, and this can never happen if we aren’t productive as followers of Jesus.

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The Twelve Misfits

silhouette photography of group of people jumping during golden time

When Jesus called his disciples, he selected a group that clashed with each other. Some were family; some were friends. None of them were very educated, but they had a good work ethic. It almost seems like Jesus hand selected people who would labor without wavering instead of selecting people who knew the Law but weren’t willing to work. Jesus repeatedly spoke about the need for more workers in the field. This would have resonated with the disciples who owned their own businesses. They were used to recruiting workers and working with other people of other trades to make their business work.

It must have been a shock to the twelve apostles when Jesus called them to follow him, especially given their lack of formal education and their backgrounds as fishermen. It must have come as more of a shock when Jesus gave them the authority that he did: “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1 ESV).

What’s even more telling is that Jesus selected a group of people who were wildly different. This sometimes lent itself to intense fights among the twelve. They argued over who would hold the best position in heaven. They often didn’t understand what Jesus told them and would argue over the meaning. And, of course, Judas betrayed Jesus the same night that Peter denied knowing him. Yet Jesus divinely selected these people.

We must remember that our level of skill, education, and money are not what matters to God. While those things can add tremendous value, God will empower anyone who is willing to carry his word to the lost and hurting.

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Seasoning Our Speech

make this day great quote board

Words really matter. They have the power to both tear down or build up. They can encourage or discourage. Just as important, how we speak to and about outsiders matters. People will never want to be part of a community that talks down to them. I often wonder how appealing Christianity is to outsiders, based on what they hear us say about them. Peter tells his readers to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:15-16 ESV).

Words are as important as actions. In fact, they are inseparable throughout the Bible. Both our words and actions are meaningful. How we respond to people will influence the way they view both us and God. As believers, we are representatives of Christ and his body. Are we attracting people to Him or are we turning them away?

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul says, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech be seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6). There is a lot packed into these two verses. First, our time is not really ours. It belongs to God. We are to use it wisely. Second, wisdom is essential. We need to “walk in wisdom” toward outsiders. That requires dedication to prayer and a whole lot of patience. Finally, our speech is to be seasoned with salt so that we know how to answer people.

So many people rely on their own ability, knowledge, or people skills. But this is not what Paul appeals to. Instead, he’s urging them to tap into God’s wisdom, the Holy Spirit, and to choose their words wisely. How we speak to the unchurched really, really matters.

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Just Do It

sea man people woman

Nike was a struggling company before it’s iconic slogan, “Just do it!” was adopted. Most people don’t know that the slogan was inspired by the 1970s famous killer Gary Gilmore. Gary was executed by Utah state and was asked if he had any final words. He said, “Let’s do this.” Dan Wieden, founder of an ad agency, was from the same town as Gilmore. He adapted Gilmore’s phrase to “Just do it” and presented it to Nike in 1988. The slogan saw instant success and catapulted the company to an over 1,000% increase in sales.

Obviously it was the message, and not the origin, that inspired people. It’s only three words but the slogan was brilliantly coupled with star athletes and inspired ordinary people to go out and do extraordinary things. Thirty-three years after the slogan was introduced, Nike still enjoys global success and has stood the test of time. Last year Nike’s revenue was $37.4 billion. The simplicity of the messaging is what has worked well with Nike. When messages are too broad, too wordy, or too ambiguous, it leaves people unmotivated or confused.

Jesus’ final words can be summed up into a very clear message: Go make disciples. It’s a message that inspired his disciples to do great things for the kingdom of God. In Acts 1 Jesus ascended into heaven right before his disciples’ very eyes. His message to “Go make disciples” was reinforced at his ascension: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV).

As the disciples stood there, staring at the place where Jesus had just stood, two angels reminded them of their mission to go make disciples: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” (vs. 11). They went to Jerusalem after the ascension and the 11 apostles were with the Galilean women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. They were devoted to prayer and very shortly after appointed a twelfth apostle. From there, they began accomplishing the charge to “Go make disciples.” The church began to grow because there was a very focused charge to get to work!