Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth..."

“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

Question:

I know the Bible does not contradict itself, so can you please explain what Jesus meant in Matthew 10:34, especially since the Bible refers to him as the Prince of Peace.

Comment:

Actually, the Bible is full of contradictions, if it is approached simply as a literal history and moral teaching. I would hardly know where to begin to give examples.  Certainly the two birth stories recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke cannot both be true. Did Mary and Joseph live in Bethlehem, give birth to Jesus there and then flee to Egypt? Matthew says so. Or did they live in Nazareth, travel to Bethlehem, give birth there and then return to Nazareth with the baby? That’s Luke's version. Of course, the apparent contradictions exist within an overriding spiritual Oneness in which both stories are metaphysical descriptions of the birth of Christ Consciousness in each of us. But it’s a mistake to ignore the different understandings, expressions and experiences that give rise to rich, detailed—and often contradictory—expressions of universal spiritual truth.

As to Matthew 10:34, you’re not alone in feeling that this statement seems antithetical to the entire tone of Jesus’ message and ministry. But really all four gospels record Jesus as going to great lengths to make it clear that his is not an easy path, and that holding firmly to spiritual truth will generate an equally firm resistance from the fear-based collective consciousness that seeks to hold us back. The underlying metaphysical truth, I think, is simply that choices have consequences—both in positive and negative ways. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows. In choosing to see life differently—to embrace our true Oneness with God instead of accepting old beliefs of separation, guilt, shame and suffering—we will arouse the opposition, not only of others who believe differently, but also of those old thoughts in our own consciousness that always strive to maintain control over us.    The good news that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated is so joyful, creative and loving that it might seem simply inevitable everyone will want to embrace it. And the transformation within us as we open our hearts and minds to that good news is so dramatic it might seem no resistance within us could even be possible. Jesus realizes that we need to be vigilant—not so that we can attack others, but so that we can defend our newfound spiritual empowerment against the shadows that feel threatened by it.

So the path to the kingdom of heaven, the path of Christ consciousness, will not always feel peaceful. But we can be certain that whatever strength we need to maintain our focus will be available as we need it.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed