HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father 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 mother-in-law.”
Jesus has just been warning about the coming judgment and His disciples’ need to be prepared for that day. He now turns His attention to His work and the effect that that work will have on the world. The fire that Jesus refers to is most likely the “fire” of purification. Through His atoning death and victorious resurrection, He will bring cleansing and purification to those who accept Him and are washed in His blood. As Jesus continues His earthly ministry, His sacrificial death, the “baptism” that He refers to, is always on His mind. While He is distressed by the suffering that lies ahead, He is anxious for the purification that it will bring to be accomplished. But as Jesus mentions, His atoning work of reconciliation with God will also bring division. There will be those who desire to be saved and are willing to accept Him, but there will also be those who, with hardened hearts, will resist and ultimately reject Him and His invitation. These two groups will naturally be opposed to one another causing division, even among kinsmen. May God help us to be among those who are willing to be purified by the blood of His precious Son.
Why do you think that there is so much division regarding Christ?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
