Gene L. Pincomb II
In Luke 12:49-56, Jesus is speaking to the group of people following
Him. Jesus speaks of bringing fire, but wishes the fire was already kindled—ready
to burn. For Jesus’ listeners it may appear He is speaking of changing
their situation, but He is speaking of His own crucifixion. A part of Jesus
must have dreaded the day He was to fulfill this action. He speaks of not
coming to smooth things over and not to confront the Romans, but Satan and
sin. Jesus also speaks of division among families not because of some supporting
Romans and others supporting the kingdom of God. The division comes from some
people believing Him to be the Son of God and others thinking He was just
a good man. He calls the group listening to Him frauds and hypocrites, because
they cannot see the kingdom of God around them. Even though they cannot see
the God-season they are in currently, Jesus will give His life for them, paying
the wages of their sins. He recognizes Israel has always struggled with keeping
the kingdom of God in sight. Humanity will always struggle with this. At the
same time He is stating this, Jesus loves His people so much He is willing
to pay the price for their brokenness. Even though the people do not recognize
the kingdom in their midst, Jesus is lovingly giving himself as a sacrifice
for the sins of the world.
Many of the people following Jesus expected Him to topple the
Roman Empire. They believed the Messiah would begin His kingdom on earth and
rid them of the oppressing arm of the Romans. Even those closest to Him could
not truly foretell what was to come. So when Jesus first started speaking
to the crowd, it seemed obvious to some He must have been talking about finally
seizing control of their circumstances, taking back their lives from the Romans.
To some it appeared Jesus was finally ready to confront the Romans and drive
them from their land. How they must have been rejoicing inside themselves,
if not openly rejoicing as a group! To be rejoicing in Jesus’ good news
about the kingdom and the next moment to be called frauds must have been enraging
for many listeners. Perhaps some thought Jesus did not know what He was talking
about. How could He know, had He not seen the way their people were controlled
by the Romans? They were not slaves but it surely would not be long before
they were. How could Jesus know of these things and still claim God was amongst
His people and His kingdom was already here?
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
In preaching this text, I tried to bring the text to life by putting the congregation into the situation and then helping them watch it unfold. I walk the congregation through the feelings the original listeners must have felt when Jesus spoke to them. Drawing connections between this text and modern life challenges the congregation to see how Jesus’ words apply to us today. Many times when we experience trouble in our lives we question God’s ways and blame Him. We walk through His words from the perspective of Jesus’ future death and resurrection—a sign of God’s love, not His harm to us. Although the people listening were so unworthy they could not see the kingdom, Jesus was still willing to give His life for them. We too cannot see the kingdom; we too are not worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice. Just like the crowd gathered around Jesus we do not deserve His sacrifice. However, just like them, He loves us so much He gives us new life.
