“Be On The Lord’s Side!”

“Be On The Lord’s Side!”(Lk.12:49-53).
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on, there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
According to the gospel of John, Jesus, the Prince of Peace bequeathed this legacy: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives”(Jn.14:21).
How possible could Jesus be seen as inconsistent by saying, “I have come to bring fire…Do you think I have come to bring peace? No, I tell you, but division!”
There is consistency as stated in the high priestly prayer: “…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you…”(Jn.17:20-21).
The unity of believers comes only after the division. The presence of Jesus in the world and the gospel he has commissioned to us is like fire upon the earth. Figuratively, the gospel does not bring peace to those who are perishing.
Rather, the gospel brings division in families and communities. In a family of five, two or three may hear the gospel and believe while the others reject it. These family members will now be divided against each other. A son may accept Christ while the father denies Christ, and this will cause division and fragmentation of the family. Etc!
Another figure of speech in the passage is the baptism that Jesus has to undergo. He is talking about his imminent suffering and death! It is not as if he sees it as an easy feat! Far from it, he is distressed until it is completed! This completion came on the cross. That is why, according to John, his last words on the cross were, “It is finished!”(19:30). By these words, Jesus died a victor, not a victim. He died, “knowing that all was now completed…”(Jn.19:28). Jesus was distressed as he saw the suffering and cross before him, but he had to endure it just so that all souls may be redeemed.
However, many are called, but only a few are chosen! Only the sheep that belong to Jesus know his voice and hear his voice and follow him.
The fire that Jesus brings either purifies or brings judgment upon the hardhearted!
And since not all members of a family will come to him, that family becomes divided only bound together through tolerance! They remain bound through tolerance in fulfilment of Jesus’ words: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”(Mt.5:44).
My friend, it is good to be on the Lord’s side!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, help me daily to remain on the Lord’s side. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
13/03/2026.