Christ

In December, the K-5 ministry had this memory verse: “A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NIRV). Later in His life, God’s Messiah would inform His followers that He gives peace only He can provide and not the world (John 14:27). Yet, our Lord also makes this bold statement (one of many) to His disciples – “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, ESV). Peace or no peace? Well, the answer is yes, and well, yes.
 
Isaiah refers to peace (9:6) as shalom, a state of completeness, deliverance, salvation, and total well-being. The peace Jesus mentions in his statement is a different kind of peace (eirene), void of conflict. When I became a born-again Christian my parents nor my sister didn’t understand this change. Yet, I had peace (shalom). Our Lord was speaking metaphorically concerning the sword; He wants us to understand to be His followers and be a peacemaker through the truth of the gospel by sharing in His experience of conflict (Philippians 3:10; 2Timothy 3:12). To follow God’s Christ, His chosen One means to not only enjoy His peace (shalom) but also to trust Him through the sword that we endure (John 16:33).

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