Luke 12:49-56 (NRSV)
Read Luke 12:49-56 on biblegateway.com
Verse 49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Verse 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! Verse 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; Verse 53they will be divided: father 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 mother-in-law."
Verse 54He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens. Verse 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. Verse 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Devotion
Jesus’ words are not softly spoken here. He is headed for death on the cross. He’s all fired up to do what God wants him to do. He’s fired up about making important choices. He’s about to die, and he is thinking about eternal things—about what is really important.
My brother-in-law was dying of cancer. One of the first realizations he had about his faith was that it had been on the back burner for years. But faced with the prognosis of a terminal illness, his priorities changed and so did his choices in relationships. Talk about fire that Jesus yearns to be kindled -- maybe it’s getting faith off the back burner that’s been on low and slow, and turning it way up so that there’s enough fire to inflame people to care and bless one another with all their gifts of faith.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, Lead us through the darkness of our lives with the flame of your love and light so that we can discern your will for us in your kingdom. Amen.