Putting Conflict and Division into Perspective
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.”
Those who complied the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible entitle this section of Luke’s gospel, “Not Peace, but Division.” The words in the above passage were spoken by Jesus to His disciples. They are not they words that fit most of the narrative in Christianity - yet, they are the Christ’s. When we think of Jesus we think of the words that were spoken by the angels to the shepherds:
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Or, we think of the words from Isaiah the prophet about Christ’s coming:
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Or, we can think of the words of Paul to the Romans:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We have, as these passages teach, the narrative that Jesus Christ came to bring peace. Yet, in His own words we read that He states He came to bring a sword. The reason for this is the fact that even thought Christ offers peace to the world, some (most?) still reject that peace. Most push away from God’s offer of peace. They typically want peace, but they don’t want peace on the grounds or manner Jesus wishes to provide it. So, if we have division in our families, if we have division in our world, it is NOT because God is not the God of Peace. It is because God has offered peace through the complete surrender to His Son and many wish to reject that. Even father and son will be at odds over Christ.
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