Matthew 10:34–36 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’…
In Christ we are free indeed. Freed to live without sin controlling our lives. Freed to love as God loves us. Freed to love Him above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Without His love and the sword of Holy Spirit to guide us we are just making noise. God hates pride and arrogance.
Luke 12:49-53 “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.”
Jesus’ life pitted the religious Scribes and Pharisees against the common man who accepted Him as their Savior. Those who by faith and aided by the Spirit of God believed in their Messiah. Those who wanted power and control over those who cared for all of God’s creation in freedom. We are at a crossroads in America. We must choose the Son born of the freed woman or the son born of slavery to the traditions of man. The religious right and those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus and live by faith in Him not in man. He will judge us accordingly. Carla
The proclamation of God’s kingdom brings conflict because it forces those who hear to make a decision about Jesus.
Fire imagery is often used as a symbol of divine judgment. Jesus suggests that there are elements of judgment associated with His mission.
A baptism to be baptized with refers to Jesus’ impending death.
At face value, this statement seems to contradict the angels’ announcement of peace at Jesus’ birth (2:14). However, Jesus is not denying the reality of messianic peace; rather, He is affirming that His death and resurrection will force people to choose sides. Although the way of Jesus certainly leads to peace in God’s kingdom, not everyone decides to follow Him. In His statement of father against son Jesus incorporates phrases from Micah 7:6 to describe the divisive nature of His message. Faithlife Study Bible
Fire is an image associated with God’s judgment (Jeremiah 5:14; 23:29). Jesus’ coming brings judgment on those who refuse to accept Him and divides the believers from the faithless. Though Jesus was ready for the judgment of humankind, other things had to happen first (verse 50).
As a figure for Jesus’ death (Mark 10:38, 39), baptism in this verse refers to the coming of overflowing waters of divine judgment.
Part of Jesus’ mission was to create a division within humankind. Other texts of Luke speak of Jesus bringing peace. He offers peace to those who respond to Him. The NKJV Study Bible
Micah 7:6
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.
Mark 10:38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
Matthew 10:21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
When we know that the light is here, now, we embrace the permission to be present. Where we are grounded, we pause. We say thank you.
We will see beauty in places we didn’t expect, and we are gifted with surprises of grace.
We will see craziness and pain, yes, but now we have the permission to engage, instead of resigning. To care. To spill light. Even in small ways, from our soul flows tenderness, tenacity, compassion, inclusion and sanctuary, joy, passion and justice, mercy and restoration, healing and community. And non-cooperation with evil.
“Non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as cooperation with good,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us.
So. Tell me.
Where are you finding replenishment for your heart and spirit?
What enables you, when despair or cynicism take a toll?
Where are you finding (embracing) moments of joy?
Where are you able to spill the light of kindness and compassion?
Let us remember Adam Bucko’s encouragement, “It may not be in our power to determine how things will unfold, but it is in our power to decide how we respond. It is in our power to hold on to the practices that nourish us, inform us, and give us courage.” Sabbath Moments
Blessing For Peace
As the fever of day calms towards twilight
May all that is strained in us come to ease.
We pray for all who suffered violence today,
May an unexpected serenity surprise them.
For those who risk their lives each day for peace,
May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history.
That those who make riches from violence and war
Might hear in their dreams the cries of the lost.
That we might see through our fear of each other
A new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression.
That those who enjoy the privilege of peace
Might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters.
That the wolf might lie down with the lamb,
That our swords be beaten into ploughshares
And no hurt or harm be done
Anywhere along the holy mountain.
John O'Donohue
From the book, Benedictus
By investigating who wrote the verse, when and why they wrote it, and what circumstances they were speaking into, we can better understand God's message to His people in their ancient place and time. This also helps us understand what His Word means (and does not mean) to us now. Studying the historical and grammatical details of Scripture doesn't mean we treat the Bible like some dusty old document that used to be relevant. It's just the opposite: As we rightly handle God's Word, we learn to hear His voice speaking and see His hand moving today more clearly than ever.
Contextualized Bible study isn't a grueling job we have to do but a good job we get to do. And when you love what you do, as they say ... you never really work a day in your life. First5
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