In Luke 12:51, Jesus is speaking about the cost of following him. He is saying that following him will not bring peace but rather division between those who believe in him and those who do not. This division can even occur within families, causing households to be divided. It’s been a long foretold since Christ this would happen, and it’s happening quickly. It’s not to say that we make every effort through Christ to be useful and effective Ambassadors for His Kingdom, leading all souls to Christ, but the truth is fewer than we would like will listen. Indeed pride is the heart’s greatest calamity.
Certainly, division occurs because following Jesus requires a radical change in one’s beliefs and lifestyle. Too often, people shout in my the buildings of things they are unwilling to live out but condemn those who do as if the word is crazy to follow. Moreover, hypocrisy is the dividend that comes up short every time.
Jesus says in Matthew 10:34-36, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
This is not to say that Jesus wants division for the sake of division, but rather that the gospel’s truth may cause conflict and division, even among close family members. Ultimately, following Jesus requires a decision that each person must make for themselves.
In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This exclusive claim can be complex for some to accept and can cause division even within families. However, Jesus also promises that those who follow him will have eternal life and be united with him in heaven (John 3:16).
Overall, Jesus’ statement in Luke 12:51 about bringing division rather than peace on earth reminds us that following him requires a decision that can cause dispute and separation, even among those closest to us.
To conclude, do not give up loving, forgiving, and making an effort; sometimes, it has to be from afar. Prayer is the greatest gift to give to people who are unwilling to receive you in the flesh because their bodies are dead in their sins.
Indeed there is always hope in Christ; in Romans 15:13, Paul says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This verse confirms our hope in the living God.
God Bless you,
Sister Christine
C. Brejcha ©️