Fire On Earth

-


Scripture: Luke 12:49-52 (ESV)

49  “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.

Devotion:

            If most of us were asked to recite three of Jesus’ most memorable quotes from the gospels, it is doubtful that these words above would make the cut. In 21st century America we do not like to think of Jesus in this way. We prefer a calm, peaceful and peace-bringing Jesus to the one portrayed in these lines of scripture. In America we prefer to have a “nice” Jesus who does not rock the boat. In fact, we want a Jesus who will calm the storms of our times.

            Yet the Holy Spirit working through the pen of Luke has preserved these words for us. They are every bit as important as our favorite passages about “God so loved the world.” So, we need to examine first, what they meant to Jesus audience in the 1st century and, then explore what they may mean for us in the 21st century.

            Jesus was adamant about their being a particular mission he was to accomplish here on earth. As Jesus tells Nicodemus in John chapter three, Jesus coming is to show God’s love for humankind in person. The words from today’s scripture reading do not contradict what Jesus taught Nicodemus in the gospel of John. Jesus’ words actually are a cry for that love of God to begin to be brought to bear on the culture surrounding Jesus. Casting fire upon the earth refers to the judgement that Christ’s life would inevitably bring about.

            As the words of Jesus spread throughout the land like wildfire flames of opposition and conflict were ready to be ignited. Jesus wanted to get this cookout going. He brought the lighter fluid of the Holy Spirit, all he had to do now was set himself on fire and the party of God’s love for mankind’s salvation could begin.

            Jesus knew that his words would cause division and disruption. That is why he came. He had to undergo the baptism of crucifixion in order to save our souls. That is why he is in such anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his arrest and trial. The match was about to ignite the lighter fluid of the Holy Spirit and burn with a flame that would consume everything in its path. Let us pray to be on fire regardless of the division or discomfort it may cause ourselves or others.

Prayer:

            Lord, awaken us from our slumber. Let us get ready for the fire of the Holy Spirit to be kindled within our own hearts. May we burn brightly upon the earth calling all people to you. Keep us from being ineffective or weak followers of yours. Ignite a passion for you and your people within us. May we be like a torch to lead the way to Christ for this lost and perishing generation. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcoming the Unwelcome

-
  Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Devotion:             First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.             We will use Luke chapter seven as an aid to interpreting the events that occurred last Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. On that da
Read more

Father Forgive Them

-
  Scripture: Luke 23:33-34 (ESV) 33  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Devotion:             The situation Jesus finds himself in here in today’s scripture is difficult for us to even imagine. A sham trial, no credible accusations of any kind, let alone any deserving of death, and yet here he is. A brilliant Rabbi, a teacher of the people who never led even one person astray from God’s will. This Holy One of God soon to be food for vultures.             This man who had done nothing wrong had no one in all the crowds who would speak up in his defense lest they be next to face the cross. An innocent man hung between two scoundrels. No voice from heaven declaring that this was the man that they were killing was actually the true Son of God. (See Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, John 12:28) No the heaven
Read more

Transgenderism letter

-
  This is a copy of my letter to my senators, representative, and President Biden. January 15, 2024 Dear President Biden, Senators T. Duckworth, R. Durbin, and Representative D. LaHood             I am writing to you because I am concerned about the situation affecting our children and grandchildren, namely transitioning them from one gender to another. This nation must adjust course concerning these “interventions” because they are dangerous, irreversible, and life-changing. Our country should not be permitting these procedures on minor children under any circumstances. We must also make sure that adults who seek this care are given informed consent as to the risks versus benefits of sex reassignment treatments.             There are many drawbacks to gender-affirming care for minors. Besides the loss of any ability to give or receive sexual pleasure and sterility these treatments cause, there are social and psychological effects that we have no way of identifying because these
Read more