Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Communique
Matthew 10:34-42 July 1, 2026
In roughly six months we will celebrate the birthday of the King. Our attention will be drawn to God taking on flesh and becoming one like us and the fulfillment of the promised Messiah. The Old Testament text for Christmas is Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, … And he will be called, … Prince of Peace. Notice that one of the Messiah’s titles is Prince of Peace. Peace is certainly what we want and the world needs. Isaiah wrote about 700 years prior to the first Christmas. Thirty years later we read what Jesus said about His mission in Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Doesn’t that sound like a contradiction?
Peace with our fellow man and between nations is critical and sorely needed today. For that to happen there needs to be peace with God. This peace requires forgiveness and reconciliation with God through His Son. The cross, Jesus paying the price of death for our sin is the path to reconciliation. Peace with God through Jesus Christ is the only way to lasting peace in this world and the next.
Isaiah is speaking of peace between us and God, not between people or nations. We must be right with God before there can be true peace with others.
However, not everyone will accept or believe the gospel that explains this way of peace. When Jesus is rejected or simply ignored there is no peace. What Jesus was saying in Matthew 10 is many will reject the gospel’s offer of forgiveness. When this happens in families where some accept and some do not it has the potential to create conflict, the truth can create division. If you have a divided family, try to keep the peace but never compromise the truth. Pray for the lost and do not preach or push the gospel on them. Listen with respect and pray, pray, pray.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Sunday 7, 9:00 Morning worship and Holy Communion. Sermon: What Should We Celebrate?
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve thepurpose for which I sent it.
