Jesus is not talking about violence, warfare, or military might. None of that. The people of His day were looking to the Messiah, the Savior, to free them of Roman rule and restore Israel as an independent nation. They sought a military or political solution, because their eyes were on this world. They missed it completely.

Jesus was speaking about a sword of division, dividing sheep from goats, light from dark, truth from lies, right from wrong. Since that fateful day in the garden man has struggled with making the right choice between good and evil. We so wanted to be able to make that choice for ourselves, to master our own destiny independent from the God who made us, that we totally overlooked the deep difficulty in making the RIGHT choice. Especially once we block the source of truth out.

Jesus speaks here of bringing a sword of division, a sword of truth. A means for us to see good and evil for what they are. The sword He brought divides those truly seeking good with their hearts from those OK with evil. The division sets these two people apart, regardless of relationship.

Jesus speaks of dividing families. Daughter against mother, etc. How horrid? No. The reality is that both already are divided in heart, but the one seeking truth is oppressed by the one seeking evil. Jesus’ sword breaks those chains of oppression by giving understanding and power to the one seeking truth. He provides the missing element, ability to walk with God in power and truth.

By Jesus paying the price of sin, and thereby giving us access to heaven and God once again, those seeking truth can now find it and stand in it. Those seeking truth can walk in the same gentle power of Jesus. Their lives can be set apart from the world so these followers of Christ can live in peace, shining the light if the gospel every day in every situation.

Jesus’ sword allows you to be as He is. Righteous! Strong in the face of pressure. Untouched by filth of this world. Live clean, peaceful, meaningful lives doing God’s will. Now that is a sword indeed!

God takes no pleasure in family discord. He created the family! This is not about causing a struggle, but about ending it! It’s about those struggling to be righteous among those who don’t care being able to finally stand firm and be righteous! What a blessing! To be able to be the witness to one’s own family! To show them the light of Christ, the love of God.

Take the sword of Christ as your strength. Stand gently firm in truth. Be the light to those around. Don’t attack them.. divide light from dark… Divide lie from truth. Show them what truth is by using Christ’s sword to cut through the darkness.

You see, this sword is not about people nor relationships, it’s about truth and lies. About knowing good and evil and making the right choice. It’s about being able to bring your own family to truth. Use this sword wisely, and families are restored!

How? By spending time alone with Jesus. It is His sword, not ours. We can only use it by walking in step with Him, daily. By staying in close communion with Christ through the Holy Spirit that lives within us. By hearing from heaven daily and dyeing to our selves. When we no longer have wants, plans, or goals of our own, then we can walk in God’s truth and power, and utilize the sword of division.

Get alone with Jesus, now. Hear his voice. Be separated from the world.