Why did Jesus come to bring division?

[mcarans]

In the following article I look at Luke 12:49-56, a troubling passage in which Jesus says He comes to bring division. I look at it in terms of our own personal peace that we may have to give up for others and at the divisive reaction of those opposed to a gospel of peace:

Why did Jesus come to bring division? : cruciformity

I would be interested in other interpretations of this passage.

 

[Bob Crowley]

If we accept there's a spiritual war on between God and the devil, the coming of Christ threw the whole battle into sharp relief.

From His advent on, Christians have been persecuted for their faith, starting with Christ Himself, who was crucified. When He was just two years old, His parents had to flee when Herod ordered the slaughter of the innocents.

Even the Mafia would probably draw the line at sending a bunch of hit men after a two year old child and his peers.

Within families, as Christ made clear, when it came to Him, father would be against son, mother against daughter etc. It didn't take long for the devil to use the Roman Emperors against the Christians, and the persecution continues to this day.

As for setting the earth on fire, I heard a homily last night (we had exactly this reading this weekend as part of the mass) in which it was claimed Christ wanted to set the earth on fire with His love.

Perhaps the speaker was correct, although I'm inclined to take a more calamitous view. I think that He foresaw the final unleashing of evil that would take place towards the end of time, and His advent would be the seed that would, in time, set the world on fire.

But then maybe we both have an element of the truth in our opinions.

 

[mcarans]

If we accept there's a spiritual war on between God and the devil, the coming of Christ threw the whole battle into sharp relief.

From His advent on, Christians have been persecuted for their faith, starting with Christ Himself, who was crucified. When He was just two years old, His parents had to flee when Herod ordered the slaughter of the innocents.

Even the Mafia would probably draw the line at sending a bunch of hit men after a two year old child and his peers.

Within families, as Christ made clear, when it came to Him, father would be against son, mother against daughter etc. It didn't take long for the devil to use the Roman Emperors against the Christians, and the persecution continues to this day.

As for setting the earth on fire, I heard a homily last night (we had exactly this reading this weekend as part of the mass) in which it was claimed Christ wanted to set the earth on fire with His love.

Perhaps the speaker was correct, although I'm inclined to take a more calamitous view. I think that He foresaw the final unleashing of evil that would take place towards the end of time, and His advent would be the seed that would, in time, set the world on fire.

But then maybe we both have an element of the truth in our opinions.

Rome did eventually become Christian so while I accept that there is persecution today, it's not like what the early Christians faced except perhaps in North Korea and countries like that.

 

[Carl Emerson]

When light exposes evil deeds of darkness there is a reaction of denial, aggression, accusation, etc.

"I came not to bring peace but a sword... dividing between soul and spirit deeply even to the marrow. Exposing inner motives - no room to sit on the fence. For Jesus or against.

A bit like a magnet that attracts or repels depending on your inner polarisation.

Is is ultimate judgement - nothing is hidden from Him.

Folks choose darkness for their deeds are evil. If you walk in the light there is fellowship.

Light does not fellowship with darkness.

Hence the division.

 

[PizzaAddict]

In the following article I look at Luke 12:49-56, a troubling passage in which Jesus says He comes to bring division. I look at it in terms of our own personal peace that we may have to give up for others and at the divisive reaction of those opposed to a gospel of peace:

Why did Jesus come to bring division? : cruciformity

I would be interested in other interpretations of this passage.

Because he revealed himself and God and the plan of salvation.
Also divisions aren't bad . Like why would you want to have mushrom soup without selecting these which are edible from poisonous ones.
On top of that evil people when they come together start doing worse things than if they do them separate see Tower of Babel and how God handle such event .

 

[bling]

I am studying with a young Chinese man who lives in Beijing, for him to accept Christ and become a Christian, could result in him being disowned, losing all his friends and maybe having to catch the midnight bus (they are not seen again). Living in Beijing is like living in DC except there is only one party, think about that.

 

[1213]

In the following article I look at Luke 12:49-56, a troubling passage in which Jesus says He comes to bring division.....

The teachings Jesus gave are what causes the divisions. The teachings are good, but unfortunately some people don’t agree and it leads to divisions.

 

[mcarans]

I am studying with a young Chinese man who lives in Beijing, for him to accept Christ and become a Christian, could result in him being disowned, losing all his friends and maybe having to catch the midnight bus (they are not seen again). Living in Beijing is like living in DC except there is only one party, think about that.

True, China is heavily cracking down on Christianity. For now the oligarchs in the US are content to just either ignore or co-opt the religion as long as it doesn't threaten their stranglehold over both political parties.