December 2, 2021 -- Luke 12:49-53 - - Christmas Division

People loved by the Father, in the power of the Spirit: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 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.”
Luke 12:49-53 ESV

One of the greatest privileges I have as a prison visiting pastor is to teach the Gospel to believers and to new believers. The Gospel of Luke has been my focus for more than a year now. This passage is particularly difficult for many people. The sentiment goes something like this: “Isn’t Jesus all about love?” So a passage like this is jarring.

Milne, in his helpful study of Luke, notes this is an advent passage. The little phrase “from now on” highlights this for us. Jesus Who has come to the earth and will return, His work and ministry will have a huge impact. Why will families be divided in this way?

     The primary reason for Jesus Christ coming into the world was the salvific one
     of reconciling the world to God (John 3:15-16; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; I Tim. 1:15). But
     because of human freedom to rejoice him, his coming carries another side,
     that is, to judge sinners for their failure to respond favourably to him. This is
     the dark side, inevitable side of the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
     Douglas Milne. Let’s Study Luke. Carlisle, PA:
     THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST; 2020, page 211

Biological families will be disrupted because of Jesus Christ. However, in Christ, we are a new family—this is the privilege of our union with Jesus Christ. God is our Father; Christ our elder brother and Savior; and we are held together by the powerful presence of the Spirit. This is Christmas joy. This is one aspect of the great gift of Jesus Christ for all who believe.

Mighty Father, thank You for Jesus Christ. Thank You for the gift of being called Your children, not by a husband’s will or human descent, but we are Yours because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, this Christmas season we urgently pray for the salvation of our estranged family members. Let the joy of Christ and His reconciling work truly penetrate stubborn hearts and walled minds so that true family ties will be forged and maintained by the gift of the Spirit.

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