JESUS SPEAKING
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Luke 12: 49-53.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Jesus corrected the commonly held belief that he came to bring peace to the earth; his real purpose was to give everyone the opportunity to choose their eternal destinations for themselves. The baptism Jesus underwent on the cross divided the world in two; some have accepted his sacrifice and followed his teachings; still others believe he was just a man, and the cross has no meaning in their lives. On this earth the strongest of all bonds exists within the family unit. Loyalty among siblings is paramount; as is the fidelity between children and their parents; yet not even these sacred relationships can withstand the new order Christ’s sacrifice has produced; the believer’s new supreme allegiance belongs to the Son of God, and those who share this allegiance make-up, ‘The Body of Christ.’
In the book of Luke, Jesus presented a man with the gospel, saying, “Follow me!” The man responded, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus then replied, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you, go and preach the kingdom.” Eventually another man came to him and said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” Jesus responded saying, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” In both cases Jesus caused turmoil and separation; creating division between those who believe and those who do not.
Jesus Christ is the prince of peace; however, he is also a sword that cuts the world in two. He came to produce unity among his followers and division between those followers and everyone else. Often, if we are at peace with the world, then we are in opposition to God. Persecution is also a very real part of genuine faith. We will be divided from others and suffer numerous afflictions, but we will never be alone. We must be strong for each other; as a single body we can endure and overcome the world; through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ we can know victory.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You give us the strength to step out in faith. We hunger for Your Word, and desire to be Your followers. May we be filled with love, and may we never be ashamed of the truth. May our allegiance to You and to Your Son be supreme; may we never put anyone or anything ahead of You Lord. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.” God bless all of you!
Jesus Speaks 