“No Jesus = No Peace…Know Jesus = Know Peace”

Pentecost 13, 2010

Luke 12:49-53

“No Jesus = No Peace…Know Jesus = Know Peace”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 

    What a horrific world we live in. I recently came across news headlines both old and new and the only conclusion I could come to was “what a horrific world we live in.” Sure there are wonderful things that happen in our lives and in this world…but as a whole the world is corrupted by sin. Recently in the news I read about a brawl occurring at a wedding reception in Skokie, IL. In Chicago a mother was arrested after her twin daughters were found dead in their attic bedroom. I remember with sadness the tragedy of the Beason murders where a former son-in-law is the alleged murderer. Many of us also remember the tragedy at Clinton Lake where a mother and her boyfriend drowned her sons. What is horrific is that these are not all that uncommon when we look at what takes place in the world around us.

   “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 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 12:49-53)

    Not only is this a reflection of our society…but of our very own families. We have children that go beyond sibling rivalries and intentionally hurt and dislike each other. We have parents and children that have spoken for years. We have husbands and wives that seek divorce. In-laws are often blamed for marital issues. Not only do we have dysfunctional families and societies…but through sin we have destroyed our relationship with God.

    This is why Christ came to this world…“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (Luke 12:49-50)

    Yes, Jesus is speaking of clashes in this world…but not the clashes we first think of. These clashes would be caused by the Gospel, some people rejecting, others accepting it and even its friends opposing one another in their interpretation of its meaning. Jesus, of course, does not mean to say that it is His wish that there should be dissension and strife. He is rather speaking of the actual results of His message. Simply put the Gospel offends the unbeliever. But even though these things will happen our Lord is focused on His own baptism…the baptism of His death on the cross.

    Our Lord knows that because of sinfulness men will reject the Gospel…and that sinful man, though faithful to His Word, would have divisions in doctrine, practice, interpretation, and faith because of sinfulness. Yet even though this would happen our Lord went to the cross because it was the only way to save us from sin.

    Jesus did not come to bring peace to this world…at least not the kind of peace the world wants. The world wants peace from war, violence, and oppression. The world wants the kind of peace where people can live any way they want to. What the world doesn’t want are Christians that tell them that they are sinners and that many of the lusts of this world are sinful. The Pharisees accused Jesus of wanting to be King and gain political power…even though Jesus rejected that notion. The Pharisees knew Jesus wasn’t a political opponent…but hated Him because He spoke the truth and called them out as sinners. The world has not changed.

    Christians are still persecuted for their faith. Around the world Christians are disowned by families for their Christian faith. Many are jailed and killed in Muslim countries for speaking “blasphemy” of Muhammad and Allah. Parents have had their homes taken away, their children forced to go to a Muslim school, beatings, rapes, and all kinds of abuses…because people believe in Christ as Lord. Even within our own country Christians that believe that abortion is murder are mocked, Christians that believe homosexuality is a sin are called prejudiced, those that believe in God creating the world and not evolution are despised and not allowed to publicly hold or teach those views in the public schools. There have even been cases of Christian converts in the United States of being ostracized by families and murdered for their faith in Christ.

    "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)

    What a horrific world we live in. That’s why Christ came…to die for the sins of all people. But Jesus didn’t come to set up a worldly kingdom and force peacefulness. He came to serve…to suffer…and die. The truth is: “No Jesus…No Peace…Know Jesus…Know Peace!” Our peace is not from this world. Our peace is not in this world. Our peace is in Christ. Our peace is everlasting life in heaven.

   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

    The peace of God doesn’t mean a life free from troubles, worries, sickness, disease, heartache, pain, or persecution. So when you pray to God for an ailment, for a loved one suffering from cancer, for someone in the hospital...and you don't get the result you wanted...don't think God doesn't love you or listen to you. God does hear your prayer. God does answer your prayer. Many times God does bring healing in this world...but often God's promise of healing comes in the world to come. God’s peace is the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life in heaven. In heaven there will be no troubles, worries, sickness, disease, heartache, pain, or persecution. God’s peace isn’t in a world that shall come to an end…but in heaven. God’s peace is eternal and it has been won for you by Christ. Don’t let this world’s problems trouble you for heaven is yours for all eternity. While we live with hardships…and dysfunctional families…we have peace in Christ and look forward to our everlasting home in heaven. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Comments

[SON'S OF GOD MINISTRY]

KING JAMES VERSION: LUKE 12:49
"I AM COME" TO (SEND) FIRE ON EARTH: AND "WHAT WILL I," IF IT BE ALREADY KINDLED. HEBREWS 2:10 FOR IT BECAME HIM, FOR WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, AND BY WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, (IN BRINGING MANY SON'S) UNTO GLORY,"TO MAKE" THE CAPTIAN OF THEIR SALVATION {PERFECT} THROUGH SUFFERING. HEBREWS 13:8
JESUS CHRIST (THE SAME) YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOR EVER.
ACTS 13:33 GOD (HATH FULFILLED) THE SAME UNTO US THEIR CHILDREN, IN THAT HE HATH RAISED UP JESUS AGAIN: AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE SECOND PSALM 7 (THOU ART MY SON) THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE.:34
AND AS CONCERNING THAT HE RAISE HIM UP (FROM THE DEAD) "NOW"
(NO MORE) TO "SEE" CORRUPTION, HE SAID ON THIS WISE, (I WILL GIVE) YOU THE (SURE MERCIES) OF DAVID.