Jesus: Prince of Peace, or come to bring divisions?

Did Jesus come to bring peace or a sword? Jesus is really a God of peace. His whole ministry is about making peace between us and God. Yet Jesus himself said that he did not come to bring peace but a sword. (Mt. 10:34) Here in John 9, as the devotion points out, there is a division because of Jesus. Which way is it? Does he bring peace, or does he bring division.

It’s both really. The main thrust of Jesus’ ministry is to bring peace. Through his sacrifice on the cross he takes away our sins so that they which divided us from God would divide us from him no longer. The division comes because not everyone will receive his word. There will be people who continue to turn away from God, who separate themselves from others. Because Jesus comes to save, and only some will be saved, there is a division between those who are saved and those who are not, between those who follow Jesus and those who do not, between those who go to heaven and those who go to hell.

Jesus comes to bring peace. Some people will live in peace with God forever. Some will stay divided from God, and will also then be divided from those who are with God.

We thank you, Lord, for the peace you bring. Thanks for bringing us close to you. Lord, please bring peace to those who are far from you.