Luke 12:49-53: a reflection

49“I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. 50But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51Do you think that I have come to give peace on the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. 52For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Jesus says something that may surprise those who expect only comfort from him: Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. And he describes families divided, father against son, mother against daughter, because of him. Jesus is not celebrating division; he is telling the sober truth that his coming, and the call to follow him, would divide even those closest to one another, as some follow him and some refuse.

Notice what Jesus is honest about: that following him can be costly, even to our closest relationships. He does not promise that following him will bring only harmony; he warns that it may bring division, that loyalty to him may set us at odds even with our own families, when they do not share our faith. This is not because Jesus wants division, but because the call to follow him is so absolute that some will follow and some will not, and that difference can divide even the closest ties.

That is a sober word about the cost of discipleship. We may hope that following Christ will bring only peace and harmony in all our relationships; but Jesus warns that it can bring division, that loyalty to him may cost us harmony even with those we love, when they do not follow him. This does not mean we should seek or celebrate such division; but it means we must be willing to follow Christ even when it divides us from others, holding to him above every other loyalty. When following Christ costs you the approval or harmony of those closest to you, do not be surprised, and do not let it turn you back. Christ must come first, even above our dearest ties, though it grieve us; be willing, as he warns, to follow him even when loyalty to him divides you from others, holding to Christ above all.

Lord Jesus, you said something that surprises those who expect only comfort: that you came not to bring peace on earth, but division, even within families, as some follow you and some refuse. You were not celebrating division, but telling the sober truth that following you can be costly, even to our closest relationships. Help me hear that honest word about the cost of discipleship. I may hope that following you will bring only peace and harmony in all my relationships; but you warn that it can bring division, that loyalty to you may cost me harmony even with those I love, when they do not follow you. This does not mean I should seek or celebrate such division; but it means I must be willing to follow you even when it divides me from others, holding to you above every other loyalty. When following you costs me the approval or harmony of those closest to me, keep me from being surprised, and from letting it turn me back. You must come first, even above my dearest ties, though it grieve me; help me be willing to follow you even when loyalty to you divides me from others, holding to you above all.