Following Jesus Brings Division

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’” Matthew 10:34-36 NKJV

In a controversial story published yesterday, it was reported that a US sprinter was disqualified immediately after winning a race for a banned act, with the incident leaving the athletics world divided.

One North Carolina high school believes this punishment is heavy-handed.

Mallard Creek High School lost out on a third straight state championship when Nyan Brown was disqualified for raising his hand before crossing the finish line Saturday.

The disqualification dropped Mallard Creek to second place, the NY Post reports.

North Carolina prep rules state competitors can be disqualified if their acts are deemed to be taunting, per wral.com, and the situation has gone viral with plenty offering their opinions.

Mallard Creek reportedly appealed the decision Monday and filed a grievance to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Board of Directors and Commissioner Que Tucker, and the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board will review the appeal.

“Over the past several days, the conclusion of the 8A Men’s Track and Field Championship has generated significant discussion across North Carolina and beyond,” the NCHSAA tweeted Tuesday...

Brown had the 4×400 relay locked up for Mallard Creek on Saturday when he held up his left hand and displayed all five fingers while crossing the finish line in his final high school race.

Mallard coach Sam Willoughby told myfox8.com the gesture indicated the fifth straight state title — the school had won two straight in both indoor and outdoor track — the victory would have clinched.

Officials instead disqualified Brown, who said the gesture did not have any ill intent…

And, you know, decisions like this aren’t the only things that leave the world divided.

Jesus was very clear that the world would be divided when it came to following Him. This was something He wanted us to understand when He said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”

Jesus went on to say in verses 37-39, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Jesus, here, was explaining the radical cost of discipleship, warning that commitment to Him will inevitably trigger ideological division, relational friction, and personal sacrifice.

To more easily understand what Jesus was saying, consider how His words might be paraphrased in our modern language…

"Do not assume that my mission is to establish a comfortable, conflict-free peace on this earth. I did not come to bring superficial harmony, but a message that will cut like a sword and divide people. Because of me, households will split apart: a son will turn against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your worst enemies may end up being the members of your own family.

If you love your parents more than you love me, you are not worthy to be my follower. If you love your children more than you love me, you are not worthy of me. If you refuse to accept your execution—refusing to surrender your self-will, pick up your cross, and follow my lead—you cannot belong to me. If you obsess over protecting your earthly security, you will ultimately waste your true life. But if you are willing to give up everything, even your very life for my sake, you will finally discover what it means to truly live."

Furthermore, when a person chooses to follow Christ, especially in a world or environment that’s hostile to Him, the worldview, priorities, and morals they once held shift. This spiritual u-turn can create an immediate contrast with the culture around them and with their families. 
You can be sure that this division won't just happen out in the world; it will hit close to home. It will enter your living rooms, fracturing relationships with parents, children, and spouses who do not share the same allegiance.

This was especially troubling in the ancient world where family was everything. It was a persons  identity, their safety net, and their future. Then and now, Jesus wasn’t telling us to stop loving our families, but was establishing a hierarchy, in essence saying, "If it comes down to a choice between pleasing your family or obeying Me, I must win every single time."
You see, true discipleship means Jesus holds the ultimate veto power over every other relationship in your life.

So, choose this day whom you will serve my friend. As for me, I choose to serve the Lord no matter what it costs me—knowing that what I gain, in the end, will far surpass anything I gave up in the here and now.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that true discipleship comes with a price. Help us to understand that and to consider it a privilege to give up our lives in service to You. Lord, help us to put You first in all that we do that we might live a life of meaning. Help us to continue loving and praying for those who don’t agree with us and might even persecute us for our beliefs. It’s in your precious name. We pray Jesus amen.

Happy Running!