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 came to bring fire to the earth. What can we say about this?
• If (since) God is for us, who is against us?
• He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him (Romans 8:31-32).
• God has judged our sin by subjecting us to the futility of our misplaced faith (Romans 8:20).
• He has worked salvation for us by not sparing his son, but subjecting him to this same judgment.
It is this word of God that works faith in us as it affirms the justice of God’s judgment at the same time it assures us of God’s kindness and mercy. Faith like this is true faith that trusts in God not just for good things, but even when bad things are happening.
Prayer
Dear Lord and Father of us all, we thank and praise you for the faith that you have created in our hearts. Lead us and guide us as followers of Jesus in the way you have prepared for us. Amen.