The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost | A Sermon on Matthew 10:34-42 | by Pastor Timothy Eichler, STS |

Matthew 10:34-42 English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 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. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 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. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

In name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray: Gracious LORD God, may the words of  my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword,” (Matthew 10:34).

[Pause]

When you hear or read this statement of Jesus from our gospel, what do you hear and read? To help you in answering the question let me read it for you again.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword,” (Matthew 10:34).

What do you hear?

[Pause]

In these words from Jesus there is one phrase and one word that peak one’s attention. The phrase “Do not think …” and the word “peace.” The opening sentence “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth.” Sounds like a contradiction from what we heard during Advent when we read Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Then in Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests”; says the great heavenly host at the birth of Jesus. How about John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Says Jesus during Holy Week.

Let us take a step back and reflect upon the beginning of the statement. “Do not think …” In other words, “Do not presume …” or “Do not pretend …” or “Do not assume …” What are the assumptions made about the incarnate God coming into our world?

[Pause]

The assumptions we make about the coming of Jesus are how we desire the world to be in existence not how the world really is in existence. How life in the world takes place because of us? Our assumptions about living in the world according to the way of life in the incarnate God: Jesus Christ are first addressed in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus uses this very same language in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:17 when he says “Do not think I have come …” or “Do not [assume] that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Jesus goes on to address the assumptions of those he was speaking to and to us, specifically:

            – “Do not murder,” … “but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brothers will be subject to judgment,” (Matthew 5:21-22).

            – “ Do not commit adultery,” … “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

            – “Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord. But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne …” (Matthew 5:33-34).

            – “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also,” (Matthew 5:39).

            – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:43-44).

            – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” (Matthew 6:19-20).

            – “Do not worry about your life … seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” (Matthew 6:25, 33).

            – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” (Matthew 7:1).

This is not an exhaustive list from the Sermon on the Mount nor is it a commentary of each of the “Do nots”. What it is, is a reflection of where our hearts and souls reside/live. A reflection of behavior resulting in conflict or division because we have left God’s teaching. When we leave God’s teaching: Torah which is summarized in the two great commandments:

The LORD is God. The LORD is one.

Love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and strength.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Conflict comes when we do not remain in the Word of God. When we put ourselves first over others there is no life …. No peace.

Peace. When you think about peace what do you imagine?

[Pause]

Harmony, tranquility, safety, lack of strife, lack of conflict, no war … These conceptions are contrary to the words that we hear from Jesus. From Jesus we hear that he did not come to bring peace but a sword. His mission is not about peace. It is a mission of reconciliation between humanity and the LORD God. A mission not about our assumptions as noted earlier from the Sermon on the Mount is to make the LORD God the entire focus of our hearts, souls, and strength. In other words, it is about life.

Life is not possible if you put yourself first. Putting yourself first is not peaceful. Peace comes in service to one another. We observe this every Sunday in our form of worship in the liturgy.

We begin our worship service with the Service of the Word which concludes with the prayers of the people. This is the part of worship where our focus is upon the reading of Scripture, reflecting upon Scripture, and living our lives in accordance to Scripture or Sanctification. Following the Service of the Word is the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper which begins with the sharing of the Peace. The sharing of the peace is a symbol or action of our life together in Jesus Christ. A sign of reconciliation with one another and with God through the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Peace that comes in the midst of a lost and troubled world. Peace in the midst of conflict … of physical, psychological, sociological, and spiritual challenges. A peace that is found around the Lord’s Table.

As you come to the Lord’s Table today feel the embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ’s peace in a lost and troubled world.

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen

Pastor Timothy Richard Eichler, STS

pastoreichler@gmail.com

Resurrection Lutheran Church

Coronado, CA, USA