Category: Luke 12-1

Fire can be a terrifying thing, especially in a forest. The speed with which it can spread and the damage it can cause can be incredible. But fire can also do positive things for a forest.

Among other things, fire can remove debris, opening it up to the sunlight, and thus allowing the soil to be nourished.

It also burns up excess underbrush allowing the remaining trees to take in more of the soil’s nutrients, causing them to become stronger.

In addition, it kills insects that prey on trees, and helps rid the forest of diseases.

In short, fire can cleanse and bring life.

Jesus told his disciples,

I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! (Luke 12:49)

What fire was that? Many people debate on the meaning, but I believe it is the fire of the gospel. How was it kindled?

Jesus tells us in the next verse.

But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! (Luke 12:50)

I think it’s pretty clear that the baptism Jesus was referring to was his death.

He makes another reference to this later when James and John ask to be his right hand men in the kingdom (Mark 10:38).

By his death and subsequent resurrection, the fire of the gospel was lit. And like a fire, it spread rapidly, cleansing the souls of people and giving them life, their sins forgiven, and their relationship with God restored.

But Jesus also knew that fire can burn and cause pain. So he warned his disciples as he did once before,

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. (Luke 12:51-53)

The same fire that cleanses is also painful to the touch. And some people don’t want any part of that. When their conscience is singed by the fire of the gospel, they recoil.

Instead of letting it purify them, they run. More, they fight against anyone who tries to bring the gospel into their lives, even members of their own family.

That’s what Jesus is talking about here.

But as much as we may suffer from the rejection we may receive from others, even from members of our own family, remember that Jesus suffered much more when he died on that cross.

So as the writer of Hebrews put it,

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)

And let us carry the torch of the gospel forward that it may cleanse and bring life to those it touches.

Jesus closes up his warnings against hypocrisy, greed, and desiring the things of this world with one last admonition. Be ready for his return.

He told his disciples,

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. (Luke 12:35-37)

In other words, we should never be caught unaware when Jesus returns. Our hope should be so set on him, that we are quick to respond to his call when he comes.

I must admit though, that too many times, I am not ready.

It’s so easy to get distracted by the things of this world. And Jesus warns us,

But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk.

The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. (Luke 12:45-46)

We often say that we believe Jesus could come at any time, but do we truly believe it?

How often, without ever voicing it, do we live like Jesus will never come back. And so we start mistreating our brothers and sisters in Christ, gossiping about them, insulting them, and hurting them.

Or we start getting soaked up in the pleasures of this world. Jesus says that if that happens, we will be judged.

He says,

That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:47-48)

Put another way, the more you know, the more you will be held accountable.

But don’t think that just because you don’t know you can plead ignorance. Jesus makes it clear here that you should have known. That you should have made the effort to find out what he expects.

You may be punished less than the person who knew, but you still will be punished.

But that’s the negative. Jesus also says,

Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?

It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.

I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. (Luke 12:42-44)

If we are faithful, if we are doing the things that God has called us to do when he comes back, we will be rewarded.

How about you? Are you doing the things now that God has called you to do? Are you being faithful? Are you ready?