Jesus says He has come to bring fire on earth, Luke 12:49. Many commentators have different views as to what the ‘fire’ is referring to. Some suggest judgment, some suggest discord, some suggest Christian love and some suggest the Holy Spirit. It’s also possible that the ‘fire’ refers to the Word of God, Jeremiah 23:29.
The preaching of the Gospel certainly brought a lot of joy to some people but it also caused a lot of turmoil among people because many would reject the Gospel message, Acts 8:1-4 / 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
Notice that Jesus says He has a baptism to undergo, Luke 12:50, which is a clear reference to His upcoming suffering.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The path laid out for Jesus was extremely narrow and difficult. On the one hand, his was the task of convincing all men that he is King of kings and Lord of lords; and, on the other hand, this had to be done in such a manner as to frustrate Satan’s purpose of getting our Lord killed as a seditionist. The skill and genius by which Jesus negotiated this narrow path have ever been the marvel of all who contemplated them.’
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘How do I earnestly desire that it was passed! Since these sufferings ‘must’ be endured, how anxious am I that the time should come! Such were the feelings of the Redeemer in view of his approaching dying hour.’
Jesus isn’t bring peace but division, Luke 12:51. Matthew tells us that Jesus is bringing a sword and it seems out of place to think that the Prince of Peace, was bringing a sword, Matthew 10:34 / Isaiah 9:6 / Ephesians 2:14.
This sword, that is, the Gospel message would have a devastating effect on our close relationships with our family members, it will divide, Luke 12:52-53 / Matthew 10:34-37. A sword should be identified with Christ in any sense as a warning of the severity which is one characteristic of His glorious nature, Romans 11:22.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The sword of Christ is, 1. a sword of separation, 2. the word of God, Ephesians 6:17 / Hebrews 4:12, 3. the sword of civil authority, Romans 13:1-8, 4. the sword of judgment, Genesis 3:24, 5. the sword of correction, Revelation 2:16, and 6. the sword of victory, Revelation 19:13. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, was acquainted with that sword. ‘Yea, and a sword shall pierce thine own soul,’ Luke 2:55.’
In Matthew 10:36, Jesus quotes Micah 7:6, which refers to rebellion that happened during King Ahaz’s reign. It pointed to a greater division in Jesus’ day. In both cases the root of the conflict involved righteousness and unrighteousness.
It appears that even our own family members would struggle with us loving Jesus more than them and if we give into them and love them more, we won’t be counted worthy of Jesus, Luke 12:52-53 / Matthew 10:34-37 / Genesis 29:31.
One who obeys Christ despite family or parental opposition feels the edge of that sword. A young woman who maintains her ideals and purity in an office where low standards prevail soon feels that sword in her heart. All who live for Christ and bleed inwardly when His name is profaned or His word denied have felt it.
These verses show us that lines of cleavage between Christ’s followers and the world cut sharply through the dearest and most intimate relationships on earth, Luke 12:52-53 / Matthew 10:35-37. In every church, almost in every household, there are scars caused by this sword. Jesus is talking about the indirect result of His work and that of His followers. Anyone who promotes good and denounces bad will gain enemies and have problems. Sometimes this happens even within families.
The Gospel produces inner peace, peace with God, but the believer will experience resentment from the enemies of the Gospel even though the Gospel is good because they prefer evil. So, the indirect result of the Lord’s good work is trouble from enemies of the Gospel even when they are members of one’s own family, the alternative is to not accept the truth. In such situations, the choice will be, to follow Jesus or give in to the family.