Jesus: A cause of division

LUKE 12:49-53

JESUS said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

REFLECTION HOW I WISH IT WERE ALREADY BLAZING!

Jesus underlines the urgency of His metaphor of fire. Fire is a threat to congested old quarters; it can spread rapidly and bring great destruction. The Gospel describes the purpose and destiny of Jesus’ mission: to set the earth on fire. He has a baptism to be baptized with, and He has come to bring division, not peace. The use of “fire” and “baptism” underlines the urgency to make a decision: to be for Jesus or not. Our choice to be for Jesus can alienate us from those who reject Him, resulting in division. Fire is used in Acts 2:3 in reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, however, fire has a destructive force. It refers to the judgment Jesus brings, especially for those who reject God’s message of salvation through Jesus. Those who are living under the vigilance of faith will experience the saving power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us repent now; tomorrow may be too late.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2015,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.