Deuteronomy 11 & 12, Luke 12: 35-59, Psalm 60: 5-12
Luke 12: 51 (ESV)
“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I
tell you, but rather division.”
In verse 51 from Luke 12, Jesus clarifies his mission for
his disciples and his followers. Jesus promises peace for us in spiritual way
and when we die, but he reminds us that division will come because of his
ministry. The authors of my Bible study noted that people will have different
reactions to Christ’s teachings; some will accept it and other will reject his
teachings. The teachings of Christ force us to confront our sinful nature and the
values of the world, which leads to a natural division between those who follow
Christ and those who do not. In the early history of the Christian church,
followers of Christ were persecuted and killed for their faith. The division between
followers of Christ and non-followers eventually subside, but it was never
really stamped out. In our current time, that division between followers of
Christ and non-followers is once again front and center. While the persecution
is most of the time not physical, people who believe in Christ are looked down upon
in social media. If you profess your Christian faith on social media, you are ridiculed
and can be cancelled. Verse 51 reminds us that Jesus knew this division would
happen, and it is a part of God’s plan to strengthen our faith and our belief
in Christ.
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