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
It is no secret that our world faces many divisions. In the United States, presidential campaigns are in full swing — and the election is still more than a year away! Candidates are highlighting their differences, pointing to the character flaws and shortcomings of their political opponents.
The church also faces divisions. Debates about important topics like human sexuality often mirror debates in the political sphere, with name-calling, mud-slinging, and character defamation. How are we to interpret this present time, which feels more divided than ever before?
Jesus calls out the crowd for their inability to interpret the present time, even though they can look to the sky and predict the weather. I admit, I sometimes feel at a loss to interpret the present time. The only thing I am certain of is that Jesus is Lord, the Holy Spirit is present, and God will work in all things for the good of creation.
Prayer
Lord of All, reveal to us the role you would have us play in your redemption story. Help us model what it means to live as siblings in our divided world. Amen.