St. John’s Lutheran Church, Toluca, IL – 10th Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 23:23-29, Psalm 82, Hebrews 11:29–12:2, Luke 12:49-56
Gospel: Luke 12:49-56
[Jesus said:] 49“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be 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 mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
54He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
…
The Writing Is on the Wall
Grace and Peace, beloved of God, from the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
There is one thing that we need to establish right away before going any further into this proclamation event. Jesus did not come into the world to cause division, separations of families, and hardship. The biblical evidence is overwhelming.
We can borrow from the Gospel of John and quote from chapter 3, verse 16, the beloved gospel in one verse, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only son so anyone who believe in him may have eternal life.” That would be sufficient, but just for the sake o proving the point:
We can borrow from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28 to 30, where it is written, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
We can remain in the gospel of Luke and recite the words of the nativity, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:11, 12, 14; NRSV)
We can sing with Mary after the annunciation:
“[The] Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (Luke 1:49–55; NRSV)
We can hear Jesus stand up and proclaim from the book of the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18–19; NRSV) Then say, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21; NRSV)
We can take to heart Jesus’ words when he says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9; NRSV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3; NRSV)
Remember, it is God’s good pleasure to give us this Kingdom, and the one tasked with the mission to hand out this free gift to us is exasperated, for the Reign of God was already colliding with the way God’s people saw themselves in the world. The writing was all over the wall. The Kingdom promised was right before them, but the people could not see nor believe it.
For instance, five chapters before this startling expression of frustration, Jesus had accepted an invitation for a meal in the home of a Pharisee. When they were eating, a woman perceived as a sinner crashed the meal with a jar of anointing oil. This story is somewhat familiar to us. The lady demonstrates great repentance and devotion to him. She lavishly washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, kisses them, and uses the oil to anoint them. This is met with contempt by the host and also with criticism. “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner (Luke 7:39).” Well, Jesus went on to school his hosts with a parable to explain how the woman was more deserving of his forgiveness than they were. Then finished by sending her with a blessing, “go in peace, your faith has saved you.” No need to say that the hosts in positions of honor did not like at all what took place. Immediately they raise suspicion about who Jesus is. They could not see nor believe.
This encounter would set the tone in Luke’s narrative for the people’s struggle to accept Jesus for whom he is and to follow him in his ministry. Later on, he will alert the people against the yeast of the Pharisees. The crowds, even the disciples, will struggle with his teachings. All this tension will continue to escalate, divide, and threaten to separate households to the point of the cross. Such divisions and hardships will continue past the resurrection, and we know very well they have lasted until this day. The sin of self-righteousness feeding it all. Everyone is more deserving of God’s grace than their neighbor, sister or brother, mother or father, daughter or son.
Beloved of God, this will sound old. It is, in fact, ancient. It is, however, true.
Only faith in God’s promises of salvation found in scripture, not social media, can settle our divisions and calm our hearts.
Faith in Jesus Christ we find in the gospels, not in the internet, who is the embodiment of the Word of God, the fulfillment of these loving promises of salvation, the assurance of all the things we ever hope for.
Because of his faith, God reckoned Abraham as righteous;
By faith, the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land;
By faith Rehab the prostitute, did not perish with those who were disobedient;
Through faith, God’s people administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, and the sinner received her redemption;
Because of faith, those who were mocked, flogged, chained, imprisoned, destitute, persecuted, tormented, and killed for the sake of the gospel inherited eternal life.
May we embody such faith. May we be of one heart and mind. May we surrender to the wisdom, love, and power of the one who endured the cross and disregarded its shame. Even without seeing sometimes, may we have conviction, may we believe, may his Kingdom come. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Bridging Faith 