Day 7
Jesus’
Mission: division
Read: Luke 12:49-53
For six days we have been looking at key components of what Jesus’ purpose was – “his mission.” Now, to a part of his mission that is easy to overlook. Jesus’ mission was to confront people, not harshly, but directly, by calling them to account before God.
It
is easy to “buy-into” a view that Jesus was a great teacher, a person of
profound wisdom and the ultimate peacemaker. He is that, and more; he is God’s
Son with a mission to call people back to God, to decision and allegiance –
that’s confrontational. Jesus was and
still is the great divider. He came to
sort through the human race, drawing some to himself while others turn
away. His mission burns consciences, and
reaction to him determines his response. Never forget that Jesus’ ministry
on earth divided Israelites causing anger, argument and controversy. Eventually the reaction was such that he was
tortured to death.
The
nature of Jesus’ mission can and does divide families, and even the bonds of
marriage. Make no mistake, there’s a
cutting-edge to Jesus with his claims of absolute truth. Of Him being the only
way to God and of kingdom values that cause reaction, offence and
misunderstanding. We must never
water-down the radical nature of Jesus’ mission or think that he has come to
bring peace at any price. Paul calls this challenge “the offence of the Cross”
(Galatians 5:11).
Ponder
Point (reflect)
- Allegiance to Jesus can cause division
Consider
(respond)
- How do I
carry the offence of the cross without being obnoxious?
Pondering – “Allegiance to Jesus can cause division.”
ReplyDeleteShould my allegiance to Jesus cause division, I must remember “JD, don’t reciprocate into justified mutual-alienation!” I can still choose to be open to those who are becoming “closed to me.”