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Luke 12:50

There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

Today in Luke's gospel, we find Jesus talking about a baptism of fire.  He speaks of heaviness or frustration that he's not there yet because he knows his mission is not accomplished.  However this baptism is not by water, but by fire.  This baptism Jesus speaks of is his death and he knows that until he dies an earthly death, his mission will not be complete.  Jesus has come to the earth to set the world on fire with his love, with a love that surpasses all understanding and comprehension.  He has come to change the world, change the rules, and change our hearts.   Yet he knows that not everyone will accept his words, his rules, even his love.  He knows there's work to be done.  A few verses later Jesus speaks of division, that households will be divided.  This is in reference that not everyone will accept the word of God. 

We live in a society today that has great division.  The church has seen great division over the centuries, even right after Jesus died there were disagreements.  We are seeing the church in great controversy today.  In our country, we have seen a decline in church attendance in all denominations.  If you go on social media, there's so much turmoil.  It seems like our nation has been on a slippery slope for many years, but it is reaching a sickening point today.  Everyone has polarizing opinions and there is no civil dialog.  People deep down cry out, "Where is God in all of this?"  That's a big part of the issue…God is here, but many don't accept God.  They want to do things their way.  Surveys have shown that less and less people are going to church today, than they were 20 or 30 years ago.  Many people say, I don't need organized religion, or they just go at Christmas and Easter, or when parents come to town.  Or families just attend when it's time to get the children baptized or confirmed, then don't come back until they get married (maybe).  It takes courage to get back to church.  If you and your family have been away for a while, why not proclaim, "I think we should try going back to church this weekend."  Even Jesus said, "How great is my anguish until it is accomplished."  He is yearning for you to come back to him and set your heart aflame in the Spirit!!!!  Live with Spirit !

Luke 12:51

Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

We all know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  We sing about this at Christmas, you know, the peace on earth, good will towards men.  So why would Jesus be asking this question and saying that he is establishing division?  This is one of those passages that goes against the norm.  For centuries the Jews were operating under the status quo.  God gave Moses the law and they have been living the strictness of the old testament laws for centuries.  Now Jesus has come to shake things up. 

When a new leader comes on the scene, you can bet that things are going to change.  More often than not, that change can be difficult for some.  Even in your own family, change can be difficult.  Jesus addresses this throughout this passage.  Our children as they grow, are changing, ie the terrible twos, the teenage years, etc.  There's often fighting and testing in these years.  But we grow and get through them, or we leave. 

Jesus came to change things, to bring a new teaching.  Not everyone accepted it.  Even many of his followers questioned it. Sometimes the truth hurts, and you can take it or leave it.   But those that followed blazed a new trail and set the world afire in the Spirit.  Pray today to not rush to judgment or dismiss a situation that you don't agree with.  Instead pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you and accept things that you may not understand.  And always pray for peace in the midst of division so that we all may be one in Christ.