A Chasm

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

A CHASM

Luke 12:49-53

49 "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, 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 daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

NIV

What did Jesus mean when he said he came to bring fire on the earth and he wished it was already kindled? Was he speaking of the fire the Spirit brings within a person that burns for Jesus? This may well be the intent within the context. Jesus knew this baptism was the cross and once he died and was risen from the grave and ultimately ascended back into heaven, the earth would not be in peace. This peace was shalom peace the Jews thought the Messiah would bring to them. They thought the Messiah would free them from all oppressors, such as the current Roman Empire, and bring them into a peaceful living nation under his rule. But Jesus knew otherwise. He knew that because of what he taught and that some would understand the truth of the gospel message and accept him as they Savior while others would oppose that truth and rather adhere to the Law instead. There would be a chasm within families because of the gospel message. Fathers would teach their sons the ways of the world, but the son having accepted Jesus would be at odds with his father’s instructions. All these examples bear the same kind of comparison. The truth is this still happens today. Some families are at odds with one another because of Jesus. It is sad, but that is the way it has to be if some of the family does not accept Jesus as their Savior. If there are people within the family that refuse to accept Jesus and desire the ways of the world instead then there is going to be division. It is difficult to understand that if a family loves each other they would not all be in agreement. But such is the case. Sister against brother, mother against daughter or daughter against mother. Children rebel against Godly instructions from their parents for the lure of the world is so great and they must live their own lives. Siblings will be divided because one sees the truth and the other sees the world. There is not much we can do about it either. We cannot force anyone to accept Jesus. We can tell them about him, we can live in him and him in us, thus showing them the love of Christ, but we cannot put Jesus into them. It is only the Spirit who can convict people of their need to repent and accept Jesus. When they refuse the Spirit, when they deny the Spirit, which is in essence blasphemy, they are lost and at odds with those who are believers. There is no real peace, real Shalom between believers and unbelievers. What does righteousness have in common with unrighteousness? What fellowship is their between light and darkness? What does God and idols have in common? There is going to be strive not harmony within a family when some believe and some do not. The truth is those of us who believe cannot allow their disbelief to infiltrate our thinking in order to create harmony. We need to stand our ground even within the most intimate of family ties. It is sad to watch family wander into the world when they have the opportunity to see the truth. But that is the way it has always been and that is the way it will continue to be. We can only live as Christ or rather Christ living as us. We can only be a believer and love them as Christ loves us. Yet there is going to be a division a chasm which exists. We cannot bridge it, but Jesus can. 

ADDENDUM:

We need to discuss for a moment this distress of Jesus regarding the the baptism he must go through until it is accomplished. Jesus was not distressed as we understand the word distressed but the Greek word means to be held or hold onto, or held fast as a prisoner. Jesus was a prisoner of sorts in the body which was subject to pain, suffering, and even death. Once he was risen from the grave he was in the glorified state, and could actually walk through walls, and ascend into the heavens. This is the same sense in which we are distressed, held prisoner in our bodies. We are not the body, but we are spirit and we are held fast in the body, subject to pain, suffering, sin and even death. This body is corruptible but we will put on the incorruptible at some point, but until then we are held fast in this body. It will never gain perfection, and so we, like Jesus, are distressed, held fast, until we leave it to be with Jesus forever.