August 31, 2010
DIVISION, Conflict, and growth
Luke 12:49-59
Robert Haggard
Central Truth
The gospel is meant to bring restoration and healing. But often, it unfortunately also brings division.
Key Verse | Luke 12:51
"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division." (Luke 12:51)
Luke 12:49-59
Not Peace, but Division
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.”
Interpreting the Time
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ 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?
Settle with Your Accuser
57 And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” 1 12:59 Greek lepton, a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
Footnotes
[1] 12:59 Greek lepton, a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)Dive Deeper | Luke 12:49-59
At first glance, this passage appears contradict the central message of the gospel. If Jesus came to restore mankind to Himself, extend mercy and grace to us, and save us by granting the gift of belief so that we would not spend eternity separated from Him, then how could such a message of restoration and peace possibly be divisive?
This verse destroys the construct that Jesus is a tame, peaceful man who never wanted to offend anyone. The fact is, the gospel is offensive to some because its claims are outrageous! John 14:6 says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
Time after time, Jesus makes the claim that there is no other way to experience the temporal or eternal fullness of life except through faith in Him. Yet, time after time, we try to pursue the fullness of life in ways that seem right to us, but these ways usually end badly. Jesus makes an outrageously bold claim of absolute truth, and He was hated among men because of it!
As believers in Christ, we will experience positive and negative consequences as a result of placing our faith in Him. Unfortunately, believing in Christ can bring division in our relationships with those who do not believe in Christ.
In my life, I have family members who have not chosen to place their trust in Christ. I love them all very deeply, and we have good relationships. However, there are some aspects of my life that they simply do not understand, such as my decision to go to seminary. Some of my friends experience severe hostility in their family because of their belief in Christ. Maybe this describes you.
How, then, do we respond to the conflict that we experience between us and those who do not believe? First and foremost, we need to love people regardless of our differences. Second, pray for those relationships. Third, find ways to invest in those relationships, even if it means getting out of your comfort zone.
Discussion Questions
1. Think of two relationships in your life in which you experience division because of your faith in Christ. Now, spend five minutes praying for them.
2. How are these relationships, and the conflict experienced in them, fostering your own growth in Christ?
3. Think of three ways that you can invest in these relationships, and run your ideas by a discerning friend or family member.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between division and peace? What do you think Jesus means when He says He brings division and not peace?
2. Jesus says that we must follow Him, even if it means causing division with people we love. Then how should we respond according to Matthew 22:37-39? It is not easy to believe differently than people we love, but God tells us to love Him first and then love them as we would ourselves.
3. Take time to pray for those in your life who believe differently than you do.