Clothesline 261 "No Peace, but a choice"

This past Sunday’s Gospel message was difficult to hear and understand. We think of Jesus as the ultimate ambassador of love, peace and harmony. But Luke gives us these disturbing words from Jesus: “Do you think that I have come to bring peace? No, I tell you, but rather division!”

How can this be? Jesus’ words cut to the heart of anyone who has ears to listen. He also says that he “came to bring fire…”. We are unsure what Jesus meant, but all we know for sure is that Jesus knew he was quickly approaching the time when his mission on earth would be fulfilled. He was going to meet sin and death head on, and nothing would ever be the same again—for him or for the world.

Now, we’re always looking for love, peace, grace and mercy. And Jesus does bring all of those things in the midst of our lives that are often torn apart. But in this passage Jesus is talking about something very different. Jesus is addressing a particular, life-changing choice: Am I a Christian…or not? Am I going to follow Jesus…or not? And that decision comes with consequences, both good and bad. Today’s Gospel passage is meant to bring you to that life-changing choice: Is Jesus the Lord of my life… or not?

We put a great emphasis on the family, and rightly so. Families are terribly important in this world. But Jesus cautions us that he comes first above all else…that He is Lord and not the family. And that’s where the division sometimes happens. The family—as valuable as it is—should not be our absolute focus; that is reserved for God. God alone has sole claim to our absolute allegiance and loyalty.

Well, where does that leave us? No one ever said that being a Christian was easy. And being a good Christian is more than difficult. That’s why it’s important to keep close touch with our guidebook, the Bible. You wouldn’t try to fix your car without the manual, would you? (Well, maybe some of you might try!). But in this senario, don’t attempt to live a Christian life without His instruction manual. His prayer for you is that you will be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that you will seek to be a Christian witness every day of your life, and that when he comes again, you will be ready…no regrets, that you chose to follow Jesus.