Luke 12:49-56 (NRSV)
Read Luke 12:49-56 on biblegateway.com
Verse 49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Verse 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! Verse 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; Verse 53they 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."
Verse 54He 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. Verse 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. Verse 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Devotion
Jesus' prophetic words often frighten us. What does he mean when he speaks about "fire?" What does he mean when he warns of "division?" We often shy away from his prophetic words because they call us to repentance and change. Perhaps not such fun topics for a Thursday devotion!
Yet if there’s one word that many of us would like to experience in our lives it is reconciliation. No family is quite like the Brady Bunch. The popularity of TV shows like "Black-ish" and "Parenthood" demonstrate the pain, power and promise wrapped up in reconciliation. We want it, but we want it cheap and easy. Jesus makes the claim in our gospel reading that it will never be easy. In fact, reconciliation with God cost Jesus his life. We only need to look at the nail scarred hands and wonder. Where do you long for reconciliation? Do Jesus' prophetic words comfort because he will not let the status quo stand?
Prayer
Change me so I can be open to your healing work in the world. Amen.