“Obedience: Taking The Road Less Travelled!”

“Obedience: Taking The Road Less Travelled!”(Lk.12:49-53).
Yesterday we read that Jesus rebuked James and John when they asked him whether they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the inhospitable Samaritan village. But today we hear Jesus saying, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wished it were already kindled.” Fire here is used figuratively to mean judgment and divisions within family members in relation to Jesus Christ. When Jesus endures the cross to become the Christ, judgment will fall on the wicked who will be seperated from the righteous; right within close family members.
The cross is not something that Jesus is looking forward to with enthusiasm. He says, “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed.” Each of us is expected to carry her/his own cross to follow Jesus, though the weight of our own cannot measure to his own.
The Lord Jesus Christ in his humanity felt like any other human. He knew the cross was before him, but if he had his way he would have rejected it. He was distressed when he anticipated the cross, but nevertheless, he had to obey his Father and do what had to be done.
The completion of his ordeal had to come by the cross. At that full moment, on the cross he pronounced his last words, “It is finished” He then bowed his head and gave up his spirit.(Jn.19:30)
Jesus died as a victor. He had completed the work he came to do(Jn,19:28). Most times we reason like the rich fool who considered that fulfilment is when your storehouse is full and you can then sit and enjoy life. Accomplishment is when we have finished the race and kept the faith. When our travelling days are done, we can say with an air of contentment, “Mission accomplished!”
When we look at the cross we see distress, but in obedience to the father, we remain determined until the crown of glory is won.
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ thank you for enduring the cross for my sake. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.