The angels declared, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." (Luke 2:14 NLV)
And Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to earth. I have 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 the members of his household.Whoever loves father or mother more than me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it." Mt.10:32-39
Disciples who have chosen to follow Jesus, have had to adjust their way of thinking and vision. The cross and the message sent from it has become their goal—complete submission to the will of God. They are willing to leave the past and forsake everything, by making Jesus Christ and His Kingdom—the New Jerusalem, their future. Children of God become disciples, and disciples become sons who rule and reign in that Kingdom.
