Reflecting on Luke 12:49-53“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49)
How can kindling a fire, or division (v.51) make things better?
Fire not only destroys, but it purges as well, making gold purer.
Division is healthy when it involves separating good from bad, healthy from unhealthy.
In our impure, unhealthy world, Jesus brings the hope of cleansing and healing.
What motivates Jesus is love, and the desire to make things ‘very good’ again.
This puts Him at odds with the worldly spirit, which ruins and destroys.
That worldly spirit is what attacks and destroys Jesus and His love.
It hates compassion, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, grace… love.
If we are devoted to God-like love, we will see this too.
Love is crucified by hate, baptized by fire, separated from life.
As Jesus followers, we do not intentionally burn or divide people.
We love like Jesus, and this makes some people burn with anger.
Loving all people will not be easy, but it will triumph in the end.
We should not burn others or promote division; we should pursue love.
Love is how Jesus overcomes (purge and separate) evil and hate.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to know the difference between the good kind of burning and dividing, and the bad kind. Help me to pursue love, not fire and division. But when fire and division result, help me to trust that love will triumph in the end!