Read Luke 12:49-59.
King Jesus is the only solution to violence and division. Only Jesus can so transform the heart of a person that they can truly love anyone, regardless of their differences.
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that the very mention of His name would bring them trouble, hatred, and persecution.
That is not to say that Jesus only brings unity. In fact, in Luke 12, He tells us He came to bring division, but this division is not by force or by coercion. It’s neither sought nor invited by believers. This division arises between those who love Jesus and worship Him alone, and those who have rejected Him altogether.
For two thousand years, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has divided humanity into two categories: those who are saved and those who are lost; those who are redeemed and those who live under the curse; those who will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus and those who will spend eternity in hell with Satan. This division is not imposed on people; it is created through individual choices.
Jesus said, "I have come to bring fire on the earth" (Luke 12:49). Fire has a dual purpose: It burns up, but it also purifies. It reveals how combustible a thing is. For example, hay ignites rather quickly and is consumed in seconds. Not so with gold, which does not burn but instead is refined by fire. The same is true with the Gospel: It either consumes or purifies a person based on that person’s response to Truth
You see, Jesus took the judgment—the fire—upon Himself when He went to the cross. That is the Good News. All who put their trust in Him and turn from their sin have freedom because Jesus was judged on their behalf. He paid the price. But for those who reject Jesus, a day of judgment remains.
When Jesus said these words in Luke 12, He wanted His disciples to understand that the very mention of His name would bring them trouble, hatred, and persecution. He was trying to warn and prepare them. The choice to identify with Jesus would create strife between His disciples and those who scorn His name. All these years later, nothing has changed for Jesus’ followers.
Trusting Jesus is costly. You will be hated, despised, and yes, canceled. But the peace He brings is greater than any trouble that this world can throw your way.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for calling me out of darkness into Your light. I know You have saved me from the just judgment I deserve and have clothed me with Your righteousness by Your amazing grace. May I stand firm on Your Truth whatever challenges I face, calling the lost to taste and see that You are good. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division" (Luke 12:51).
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