One wonders, with Jesus being such a peaceful person who never used violence against people, how he could have become a justification for so many wars. Much lies in one line of one passage where he says, “I come not to bring peace but a sword” (Or “division” in one version). But is Jesus really saying he came to start wars of conquest? Or is he saying much the opposite, that being a loving, compassionate, follower of God who speaks up for justice and the weak will cause division and violence by those who benefit from the cruelty of the system? Sermon by Pastor Lars Hammar, August 14, 2022