“I
came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Matthew 10:35
Matthew 10 [29.] “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin?[a] Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10 [34.] “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s foes will be those of his own household.[b] He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 10:29 An assarion is a small coin worth one tenth of a drachma or a sixteenth of a denarius. An assarion is approximately the wages of one half hour of agricultural labor.
b. Matthew 10:36 Micah 7:6.
Meaning:
This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face as they go out to preach the Gospel. It may initially sound surprising or even troubling, but it carries deep significance about the nature of the mission of Jesus and the profound changes that following Him can bring.
- Jesus' Discourse:
Sending the Disciples: In Matthew 10, Jesus is sending out His twelve disciples, giving them instructions and warnings about the opposition they will encounter.
Cost of Discipleship: This chapter emphasizes the cost of discipleship, urging the disciples to remain steadfast despite potential persecution and division.
Division for the Gospel’s Sake: The verse indicates that the coming of Jesus and the proclamation of His message will lead to divisions even within families, as people respond differently to the Gospel.
Significance
- The Nature of Jesus' Mission:
Radical Commitment: Following Jesus requires a radical commitment that can sometimes lead to conflict, even among close family members. This is because the values of the Kingdom of God often clash with worldly values and expectations.
Transformation and Opposition: Jesus' message brings transformation, but it also brings opposition from those who do not accept it. This opposition can manifest in the closest relationships.
- Family Dynamics and Faith:
Challenging the Status Quo: Jesus challenges the status quo, calling His followers to prioritize their allegiance to Him over even their familial ties. This can result in tension and conflict within families.
Spiritual Division: The division mentioned in this verse is not about encouraging hostility but highlighting the inevitable spiritual division that occurs when some family members accept Jesus while others reject Him.
Theological Significance
- Cost of Discipleship:
Total Allegiance: Jesus calls His followers to give Him their total allegiance, even above their family. This underscores the seriousness and depth of commitment required to follow Him.
Sacrifice and Reward: While discipleship may involve sacrifices, including strained relationships, it also brings the reward of a deeper relationship with God and eternal life.
- Peace and Division:
Not Peace, But a Sword: Earlier in the chapter, Jesus says, "Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). This indicates that the peace Jesus brings is not the absence of conflict but the reconciliation with God that can lead to conflict with the world.
Practical Applications
- Understanding Division:
Anticipating Conflict: As followers of Christ, we should be prepared for potential conflict within our families and social circles as we live out our faith. Understanding that this is a part of the journey can help us navigate these challenges with grace and wisdom.
Responding with Love: Despite the division that may arise, we are called to respond with love, patience, and prayer, seeking to witness to our faith through our actions and attitudes.
- Prioritizing Jesus:
First Allegiance: We must continually evaluate where our primary allegiance lies, ensuring that our commitment to Jesus takes precedence over all other relationships and loyalties.
Balancing Relationships: While prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, we must also seek to balance our relationships, maintaining love and respect for family members even when there is disagreement about faith.
Cross-References:
Luke 14:26: "If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple." This verse reiterates the need for total commitment to Jesus, even above family ties, highlighting the cost of discipleship.
Micah 7:6: "For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house." Jesus’ words echo the prophecy in Micah, indicating that such divisions are part of the spiritual struggle that accompanies the proclamation of God’s truth.
Ephesians 6:12: "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." This verse reminds us that the true battle is spiritual. The divisions we experience in the physical realm reflect the deeper spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness.
Conclusion: Matthew 10:35 serves as a poignant reminder of the profound and sometimes challenging implications of following Jesus. His message, while bringing ultimate peace with God, also brings division as it confronts the values and beliefs of the world. As we navigate our journey of faith, we are called to prioritize our allegiance to Jesus, understanding that this may lead to conflict even within our closest relationships. However, we are also called to respond with love, patience, and unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel, trusting that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail.
The cost of discipleship is high, but the reward of a deeper relationship with God and eternal life far outweighs the sacrifices we may have to make. By understanding and embracing the challenges of following Jesus, we can stand firm in our faith and witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in every aspect of our lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible