Luke 12:49-53 (ESV)

⁴⁹ “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on in one house there will be five 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.”

Jesus spoke to his disciples about what his mission and ministry would bring. He used the word “fire” to highlight the division that will result when his judgment comes. Reconciliation with God often results in divided relationships. He longed to complete the redemptive work God ordained for him to do. Then Jesus made a statement that may seem odd to some. He declared that he did not come to bring peace on earth, but rather division. What? We may think, Well, that’s not the Jesus I know. But it is the Jesus of the Bible! He then illustrates what this division might look like. Maybe a father and son relationship will be strained. Perhaps a mother and daughter could end up responding differently to Jesus. He even brought the in-laws into the picture. The point is that the gospel can divide people, all the way down to what we would consider the most intimate relationships. Jesus says “mother against daughter” and “daughter against mother” to show that hostility will run both ways. Jesus’ teaching was intense. He taught about judgment and God’s anger toward sin. He taught about the need to give up our lives to gain his. And he instructed his disciples to follow him at all costs. These compulsory and powerful responses to his word are sure to create tension and drama in our relationships.

We don’t like to think about this, but Jesus taught that problems would and will result for his disciples. He even went so far as to say that the gospel creates division rather than peace. Why would division result? Because some would embrace his message and others would reject it. Even those who live under the same roof may end up on opposite sides of the spectrum about who Jesus was. But the honest disciple will be willing to endure the rifts that come from living according to God’s law and principle. Have you experienced trouble in relationships as a result of your alliance with Jesus? If so, be encouraged. This is exactly what Jesus said would happen. But never forget that the Christian is called to communicate the challenging truths of the gospel with gentleness and respect. When others are offended, make sure they are dividing with you over the truth, not over the way you communicated it. Pray that God would keep those who are hostile to him from stumbling over you, the messenger, even when they stumble over his message.