Here's my take on the "not peace but a sword" line...

Any process of genuine spiritual change or enlightenment brings profound disturbance into the life of a person. It rocks the boat. It divides truth from falsehood. It's not comfortable. The sword of keen perception divides truth from falsehood, cuts away the dross...and that's painful!

I believe it was that sword that Jesus referred to...not a physical sword at all.

As to his actual conduct and the example he set, it was decidedly nonviolent. He never did physical harm to anyone, although he scolded the moneylenders in the temple in such a way as to put "the fear of God" (to use an expression) in them.

In the incident in the garden, he rebuked the apostle who had struck off the soldier's ear, told him to stop being violent...and healed the ear, then surrendered calmly to his arrest. Entirely nonviolent response. It was his followers who, in their fear, resorted to violence on occasion...and in so doing they violated the example he had given them.

Yes, the soldiers expected resistance. Why would they not have? Police always expect the possibility of resistance, and go prepared for it.

As for the Christian churches, they have a history drenched in blood, but that doesn't say much about Jesus.

- LH