8-17-25 Luke 12:49-56
[Jesus said:] 49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they 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.”
54 He 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. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
Hear the word of the Lord, as He stands beside you, holding your hand.
We have always had a great interest in the weather because it affects what we are able to do outdoors. We try to take that information into account as we make plans. This year we seem to need to pay even more attention to rain, wind, temperature and fire than ever before. Many places have received excess rain in heavy downpours, wind speeds have been extreme, and the horrible heat numbers need no mention. Then there have been the wildfires, wilder than ever and we have learned that we can be adversely affected by the smoke from those fires even when the fires are a thousand miles away. The destruction that has resulted from weather events have been catastrophic in lost lives, homes, habitats, and livelihoods. Now the messages from today’s readings seem to echo the fiery ordeals that have become contemporary concerns.
The words also bring to mind that which was spoken by the three witches in William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth.’ “Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.” They sing this chant while brewing a potion in a cauldron, symbolizing their sinister intentions and a connection to the supernatural. Their powerful incantation foreshadows the chaos and destruction that will unfold in the play. That is rather similar to the forewarning that Scripture brings. Jesus has a message, which at first glance, sounds quite unlike him. “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, … Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” Jesus is not mincing words or softening the blow. We will no doubt be caught up in this turmoil. But not because Jesus is striving to destroy or intentionally bring pain and sorrow.
Consider the imagery of fire. Certainly those wildfires that have gotten out of control are destructive but fire also leads to new life. Useful fires create new conditions in the land which set the stage for habitat diversity and help plants adapt to changing climates. There are cleansing fires. A hot fire in the oven can produce good, safe, food or in the forge can melt away the adulterations leaving only that which is pure. Jesus used this image to convey that fire produces something new. Jesus wants to kindle the fire of change. He brings a new illumination that lights up new possibilities. This, of course, means that what has been becomes replaced with the new. Therein is the source of the division of which he speaks. Jesus did not and does not intend that family units be destroyed. Rather, he is making known the consequence that so often results when more than one option is available. Jesus came as the Messiah but not everyone would welcome or accept that. Even in the closest of community units, the family, opinions will differ and loyalties will vary. Divisions result. five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided. We see that reality often enough. With division, peace is disrupted. There is a cost to following Christ. The first readers of Luke lived in a time of harsh persecution and oppression. The Prince of Peace, Jesus, whom they followed, put them in opposition to the Pax Romana, who ruled their lands. The Jews who determined that Jesus was indeed the Messiah they had awaited, stood against those who remained obedient to the Jewish tradition. So divisions of many kinds resulted. That is how it had been with the prophets before him. As Jeremiah had written: Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? (Jer 29:29)
As the prophets before Jesus, divisions came because the word of God is a revelation. It does not only expose the power and holiness of God, however. It makes visible our stubborn pride and sinfulness. It causes us to face our true self and come to recognize our need of a Savior.
So, we hear from Jesus: “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Jesus is speaking here about what is to come for him and the final dividing line which will be drawn. He will go to Jerusalem to experience this ‘baptism’ which is referring to his rejection, his suffering and death on the cross. We can only give thanks for Jesus’ willingness to face that fiery painful sacrifice on our behalf. This one who brought fire and division knew how much it would cost him to bring it. He would pay everything for it, his very life.
Jesus words in this Gospel are hard to hear because He came to proclaim a message of compassion, forgiveness, and justice that often brings divisions among us; for such attitudes are at odds with the values of this world. His words are not comfortable or easy. They certainly can be divisive and confrontational. First, we need to confront our own self and see what we have been doing or what we have avoided or kept silent about. Therefore to repent is the first step into that cleansing fire. We can see that there are many divisions in this world that need to be healed, it will need to start with our own self. Jesus has promised that the kingdom of God will come among us. We need to be alert, awake to its appearing, and prepared to participate. That calls for repentance. It is time for us to look at ourselves and our communities from God’s viewpoint. Then we will recognize our need to make some changes, to head in a new direction. Yes, it may feel like walking through fire, it is uncomfortable to be on the hot seat!
Remember what Jesus has done for you. He will join you, walking through each task and situation alongside of you. The love and compassion we receive we are then to pass along to our neighbor. The author of Hebrews brings us the comfort of knowing that we are also accompanied by others who have walked the path before us. It is expressed this way: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely. Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him enduring the cross, disregarding its shame. (Heb 12:1-2). You are not on your own, left to your own devises. You are in good company and together a new life emerges from the fire.