From Luke 12: 49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be 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." 54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, "It is going to rain'; 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?
The week I decide to do the Gospel reading first for a change, we get this passage from Luke. We shall prayerfully discern what God would share with us.
Jesus came as Messiah. Not everyone believed nor accepted Him as such. HIs message, teachings, hearings, miracles, blessed some and angered some. Even today, the spiritual realm to which Jesus invited us as believers, causes some to believe and causes others to be angry or resentful, especially among those who are not concerned with spiritual things and worry and fret about earthly or physical things. Jesus came so that we might have fullness of life, yet many do not want to leave the seeming fullness of the physical to experience the true fullness of life lived in the Spirit. The account of the Holy Spirit's arrival in Acts 2 had many questioning the behavior of those who received the baptism of fire, accusing them of being drunk early in the morning. Even though 3,000 new believers were added that day, most were not believers and actions followed where the disciples were arrested, beaten and ridiculed for what they did on Jesus' behalf.
As a pastor I have seen reactions from parents of children who have felt called into ministry. Their words and actions are anything but supportive and encouraging. I have seen the reactions and anger of spouses towards those also feeling called to serve God full-time. Yes, some even have divorced as a result of "not being called into ministry" or into "marriage with a minister." As a pastor I have sat with people planning a funeral and have heard some question the need to bring the loved one into a church for a final worship service in which to say goodbye, even when the dead person had specifically said his or her faith made them want a church service. Believers are called to know the "signs" and "the present time." And we are called to stand firm in our faith even in the face of non-belief or doubt that questions our actions and ministries. If there are to be divisions, we should not be on the side that finds itself against God.
The theme for this week will be a stronger faith. We are called to have a faith that does not waver or cave in to seemingly stronger forces, for there are none. Nothing or no one is a strong as God. And there is no stronger force than one guided by God to be in the right of things.
PRAYER: Loving God, strengthen our faith; guide us to fullness of life. Even in places where division is present, let us stay with You as a model and as strength for those being torn away. We pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
