Luke 12:49-53 Christ Brings Division
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
First, Jesus predicts his upcoming death as a form of baptism. We under-value baptism if we fail to realize that the act of baptism is a re-enactment of Jesus’ death and resurrection. While many denominations practice infant baptism as a form of dedicating the infants to Jesus, there is something particularly significant about adult baptism. Adults should understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. Sometimes, adult baptism is also employed as a form of re-dedication. Although I had been baptized as an infant, later when joining a church that practiced adult baptism, I went through the ritual and found it very meaningful. On two separate occasions my husband and I have undergone baptism while prayer warrior friends have laid hands on us, re-dedicating us for new work. In both those cases, the friends approached us, feeling led to do so by God.
Jesus knows that his baptism is going to be a baptism of spiritual fire. It is from these verses that we derive the expression of “baptism by fire” to indicate the experience someone undergoes when taking on a new position that proves to be incredibly difficult.
Jesus continues to warn the disciples what they will face so that when he is no longer present, they will not falter. Make no mistake! Even in Jesus’ lifetime, following him is a costly decision. Jesus has already angered the ruling Jewish religious authorities, and if the Romans choose to do so, they can wipe out all the disciples by crucifixion. Even though Judas thinks he’s cleverly hiding his betrayal of Jesus, his fellow disciples sense that something is terribly wrong. But here Jesus is warning about something even more painful than treachery by a colleague.
In Jesus’ role as prophet, he is foretelling a time when entire families will split over his teachings, with some family members holding fast while others violently oppose them. Ever since Christianity has come into existence, this prediction has come true. Even today, former Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus who accept Christ may live in danger of being killed by their own family members as heretics. The very relationships most of us hold dear may lead to our deaths if family members oppose us.
If following Jesus can lead to such horrible results, why would anyone choose to do so? Jesus himself gave the answer when counseling his disciples. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, except by me.” (John 14:6) When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, he changes our hearts and the Holy Spirit begins to work in us. Galatians 5:19-23 tells us “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Who among us wants to suffer? Who among us wants any of the horrors described to characterize their lives? Once you have experienced the love, the joy, and the peace of knowing Jesus, you are willing to sacrifice.
There is a video, a one-man show, in which a skilled actor portrays the disciple John as an old man on the Island of Patmos, describing his visions that he records in the Book of Revelation. One of the most touching scenes comes near the end of the video. Obviously, John has been witnessing to the Roman commander, who has hitherto ignored all his efforts. But as the video is ending, the commander summons John to his office, and the video closes with John beginning to tell the commander about Jesus.
Tradition tells us that John was not martyred, nor did he die on Patmos. John likely died in Ephesus as a very old man. But the other disciples all will die as martyrs. Here is the list:
- Saint Peter
Crucified upside down in Rome. His remains were buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican. - Saint James the Greater
Beheaded. His remains were buried in St. James Church, Compostela, Spain. - Saint James the Less
Stoned and beaten to death. His remains are buried in the Holy Apostles Basilica, Rome, Italy. - Saint Jude Thaddeus
Beaten to death with clubs and hacked with an axe. His remains were buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican. - Saint Philip
Crucified by soldiers. His remains are buried in the Church of the Dodici, Rome, Italy. - Saint Thomas
By blows of spears. His remains were buried in St. Thomas Cathedral, Mylapore, India. - Saint Simon
Stabbed with a sword. His remains are buried at the Altar of Crucifixion, Vatican. - Saint Bartholomew
Crucified. His remains were buried in St. Bartholomew Church, Rome, Italy. - Saint Andrew
Nailed to an “X” shaped Cross. His remains are interred in the Cathedral of Amalfi, Italy. - Saint Matthew
Crucified. His remains were buried in St. Matthew Cathedral, Messina, Sicily. - Saint John
Died of natural causes. His remains were buried in St. John Basilica, Ephesus, Turkey. - Saint Mathias
Crucified. St. Mathias is the replacement of Judas Iscariot who committed suicide after betraying Christ. His remains were buried in St. Mathias Abbey, Trier, Germany.
As we approach Easter, let us remember Christ’s death and resurrection and let us remember that as Jesus’ followers, we too may have to undergo baptisms by fire.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, keep us true, no matter what! In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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