Jesus Sets the World on Fire!

13th Sunday after Pentecost, 9/8/19
Luke 12:49-53


Jesus Sets the World on Fire!
I. By a cross that saves
II. By a cross that divides


This year is 2019. I’m sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. That truth is something even our young children know. And we know that, in a few months, we’ll enter 2020, unless Jesus returns first.

We readily accept the numbering of the years. In fact, our entire world joins us in using that numbering. And every time we use it—countless times every day—we’re acknowledging one eternal, spiritual truth—that Jesus is the great dividing line in all of the world’s history. Whether we have the numbering exactly accurate or not, the great dividing line in the way that the entire world numbers the years is the coming of Jesus to this earth. As Christians we prefer to number this year as 2019 AD – “Anno domini,” in the year of our Lord—and the years prior to his birth as BC – before Christ. I realize that many prefer not to use AD and BC to number the years, but they can’t deny that the dividing line is still Jesus Christ.

Jesus speaks about himself as a dividing line in a slightly different way in the words of our text this morning. In this chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus shares a number of warnings and encouragements for his followers. In the words of that chapter before us this morning, he warns them about what his coming to this earth means for all people. And he uses the picture of a fire to make his point.

If you got the impression that Jesus is using the picture of fire to convey the truth about his judgment of all the people of this world, you’re correct. But I imagine there are other pictures and phrases that he used in this section that puzzled you. So, let’s take a deeper look at it together this morning. And let’s do so under the truth that Jesus himself shares with us this morning right here. Jesus sets the world on fire. My prayer is that his fire purifies and strengthens us as we focus on his word.

Part I.

Have you ever noticed how some words in the English language have exactly the same spelling, but different meanings? For instance, what does the word spelled L-E-A-D, pronounced “lead,” mean? It can mean a heavy metal which was used decades ago in pipes and bullets. But it can also mean that you were influenced or directed to do something. So how do you know which meaning is the appropriate one? By looking at the context—the words around it.
Jesus uses a word in this text in much the same way—not exactly the same way, but similarly. Permit me to read his words again. “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” We get the “fire” imagery. But now he speaks about a baptism. Do you know what he’s talking about?

Well, you might think he’s referring to his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. But that wouldn’t be correct. That important event had taken place long ago, at the very beginning of his earthly ministry. So, is he thinking about getting baptized again, like some Christians do today? Surely not! That’s a misuse of baptism.

So, what does he mean? He’s using the word “baptism” to refer to his impending suffering and death on Calvary’s cross. He views that work as being so important to him and so critical for each and every sinner that it’s as if he is completely immersed in it. It’s front and center on his mind. It’s the one thing he sets out to accomplish every day of his life on earth. He’s so focused on going through that suffering and death that he won’t let anyone or anything divert him from that saving goal.

But what concerns us about this work which is so important for us is that he states that he is distressed about it. Those of you who are parents, if your child needed a pint or two of your blood, would you be distressed about giving it? Not a chance! You’d immediately roll up your sleeve and offer up your arm. And once you’re done giving one pint, you’d get right back in line to give another, if they’d let you. You’re not distressed over it at all. In fact, you’re eager to do it.

So why would this saving work cause Jesus to be distressed? Because he knew it would involve something you and I, by God’s grace, will never experience—hell, eternal separation from our loving God. Jesus knew that’s what our salvation would take. Recall how he agonized over it in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death. He pleaded with his Father to take this cup of suffering from him, but he was completely willing to do what the Father wanted him to do.

And there’s where we find our eternal comfort and joy. Jesus was in no way surprised when he suffered hell for us on the cross. He knew it was coming. In fact, he knew from eternity when he and the Father planned our salvation that hell was coming for him. But he came to this earth anyway. He marched right to Calvary’s cross. He allowed his enemies to nail him on it. And then he underwent that baptism. Why? Because he loves you so much and he wants you to be in heaven with him. Amazing!

Permit me to share an illustration. Are you familiar with controlled fires that are set by experts? Probably so. They set those fires to keep people safe and to promote the growth of healthy vegetation.

There is no more beneficial “controlled fire” in all of history than the one Jesus set. So, when the fire of the final judgment comes, you and I and every other person who trusts in Jesus will be spared. So, in the most important event that we will yet face—the final judgment—we have complete security. It’s OK! In fact, everything is OK. Today is OK. Tomorrow is OK. Every future day of your life is OK. So, stop worrying! Stop doubting! Stop fretting about all the fleeting things that make up your life and simply embrace your Savior Jesus by faith. Look again at what he did for you and why he did it. He underwent the fire of hell for you. He sacrificed his life for you. And then he rose again to make you absolutely certain of it. Sure, we should be concerned about all the evil in our world. But the bottom line is that we come out of this world as victors with our Lord Jesus. And it’s all because Jesus set the world on fire by a cross which saves. Dear Jesus, always hold that cross before our sinful eyes!

Part II.

We want Jesus to hold his cross before our eyes, but consider all the Christians who once shared that desire with you but no longer care about Jesus or his cross. Why do they no longer hold to their Christian faith? In many cases, it’s because other human relationships have become more important to them than their relationship with Jesus. Especially family members.

That’s exactly the point Jesus makes in the second half of this morning’s text. But those words are hard to take. They hit us like a punch in the gut. We’d like to think that “family” is the one place which should be insulated from spiritual strife. We’d like to think that Jesus and the truth of his word will always and completely unite us, that we’re always going to see eye to eye on what’s right and wrong. Not so. Not even close. I apologize if these words hurt, but they’re the truth. Jesus speaks them to you because he loves you and wants you to know the truth. “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.”

Jesus is still speaking to us about his cross. Our faith in the cross of Jesus unites us, but it will also bring a sword and cause division. Your faith in Jesus is going to bring conflict into your relationships with your loved ones, even your family members.

So, what’s the solution? One, know it’s coming. Don’t be surprised. Your own family members won’t understand your relationship with Jesus.

Two, decide right now how you will react to such division. What I mean is this: when family members oppose your relationship with Jesus, with whom will you stand? With Jesus or your loved one? Making it clear that you will stand with Jesus now makes that difficult decision a lot easier if and when that choice confronts you.

Three, remain grounded in the word of God. Satan will use that conflict with your family member to challenge what you believe and why you believe it. You’ll be putty in his satanic hands if you don’t know what the word of God says, so make sure you stay in the word!

Four, do what Jesus did when faced with conflicting choices: he prayed. Go to the Lord in prayer. Ask him for strength in this difficult decision. Ask him to give you peace. Pray to him to change the heart and mind of your loved one who is opposing your relationship with Jesus. Ask him to surround you with loving and caring Christians who will support you.

And finally, get to work. Look for opportunities to share the truth of Jesus with your loved one and then do so in a way that demonstrates Christian love and concern. Make sure that you always show your loved one that you always want what’s best for them. Engage the help of others in reaching out to your loved one. But do so knowing that this work is always the work of the Holy Spirit and you are simply his mouthpiece. Also know that your strife will never completely end until Jesus calls you home to heaven. It’s part of that fire that Jesus set in this world and it’s all due to his cross. Jesus sets the world on fire by a cross that divides.

So, I didn’t settle anything for you. I simply told you to expect division, even in your own family. What comfort do I have for you? Even Jesus experienced that division from his mother and his siblings. But that’s how much he loves you. He risked everything so that he could have an eternal relationship with you. That’s worth every conflict your faith brings on you. It’s worth every difficulty we might face. It’s part of the fire that Jesus set on the world. May the fire of your faith in his cross burn brightly until he calls you to be with him! Amen.