Jesus brings fire, division and salvation

Submitted by Lactantius Jr (United Kingdom), Oct 24, 2006 at 08:09

You quote the Lord Jesus Christ's words from Luke 12:49 Sohail, and do so I imagine, without understanding what He meant. A text out of context is a pretext, so let's look and see what the Lord Jesus is telling us here.

"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!

Luke 12:49-50

Fire is a metaphor for judgment Luke 3:9; Luke 17:29. Elijah brought the fire of judgment on the prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18:36-40 and the soldiers of King Ahaziah 2 Kings 1:10-14. James and John wanted to bring fire upon the Samaritans who rejected the Lord Jesus, but He would not permit it Luke 9:54. We are also reminded of the prophet Malachi's words, "For He is like a refiner's fire…" Malachi 3:2. The fire burns hot, removing impurities and leaving only that which is desirable. These meanings suggest that the fire which the Lord Jesus Christ brings, will consume or purify the world. However, it is also possible that He means His upcoming suffering on the Cross, will be a baptism of fire.

In verses 51-53 of Luke 12, the Lord Jesus says that even families will be divided because of Him. Why would He bring division? The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to establish the kingdom of God. He came to transform a sinful world, and that kind of transformation does not come easily, it cannot be expected to happen without a fight by those being transformed. Throughout His ministry, Jesus experienced conflict which culminated on the Cross. Simeon foretold this conflict when Jesus was still a baby. "Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, 'This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too' " Luke 2:34-35.

Yes Sohail, the Lord Jesus Christ came to bring fire to the earth, and that fire is also a reference to the Holy Spirit, Who descended like tongues of fire on the heads people in Jerusalem, on the first day of Pentecost Acts 2:3 This occurred ~50 days after the Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion, and Jesus prophesied His coming John 14:25-26, so yes indeed Sohail, the Lord Jesus Christ came to bring His fire, and here the Lord Jesus refers to His coming and His mission:-

"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me"

John 16:7-9

here's why the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world Solail:-

"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them all." 1 Timothy 1:15

necessary because:-

"everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. "

Romans 3:23

and:- "the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23a

but take heart Sohail, there is a way out:-

"but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23b

the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the sinners all-sufficient Saviour. We're not worth it, we don't deserve it, we can't earn it, do you want it? a free gift from the God Who loves you so much that He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the Cross and to rise to eternal life for you, to give you that same eternal life with Him, if you want to accept what He has done for you, and yes Sohail, this will bring division in your family, but do you want to stay outside, or do you want to come inside? The choice is yours, and it has eternal consequences, truly, there's a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.

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