The Jewish population was not expecting a Messiah who was not politically motivated. They were wanting vindication from the gentile rulers and they wanted the power and control that comes with the winning party. They would not accept anyone less.
Jesus, all God/all man, came to offer mercy and grace by paying ransom for their sins…not what they wanted to hear. His coming brought about great conflict within the Jewish community and pitted family members against each other. It divided the goats from the sheep…those who believed in the Messiah and those who did not. ..those who believed in His righteousness and not their own.
Part of Jesus’ mission was to create a division within humankind.
Fire is an image associated with God’s judgment. Jesus’ coming brings judgment on those who refuse to accept Him and divides the believers from the faithless.
Luke 12:49-53
49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 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.”
18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,
Matthew 20:18
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
John 12:27
43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
John 7:43
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Acts 14:4
6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
Micah 7:6
12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
Mark 13:12
No comments:
Post a Comment