Fire, Division & Judgment

Introduction

Our scripture this morning is Luke 12:49-56.

We are nearing the end of our time in Luke.

On September 7, we will begin a sermon series on the Catechism.

But for today, we are continuing on in Luke chapter 12.

Now remember that Jesus is in the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee and he is preaching to a crowd and his disciples are with him.

going to look at this passage in three parts.

The first is verses 49-50.

Verses 49-50 - Fire upon the Earth

Jesus claims that he came to bring fire upon the earth.

This is not something that we are used to hearing Jesus say.

Not only will he bring fire, but he wishes it was already here!

What does he mean by this?

What fire was Jesus talking about?

We know that fire is associated with the Holy Spirit.

It came in tongues of fire to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension.

In this particular instance, and putting it in context with the passages around it, we can say he probably does not mean the Holy Spirit here.

So what does he mean?

Jesus is talking about the coming judgment.

Why would Jesus say he wishes it were already here?

We see a similar sentiment in Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem in Luke 13:34–35 “34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’””

Jesus has long-watched the people of the earth disobey, treat others with cruelty, reject God, and tear one another apart.

Jesus longs for the day when the earth will be judged and when evil will be destroyed!

Illustration: Nuremburg Trials:

At the end of World War II, the world learned the full scope of the Nazi atrocities — concentration camps, mass graves, the systematic murder of millions. For years during the war, survivors had cried out for justice, but the machinery of evil kept rolling on.

When the war ended, 24 of the most powerful surviving Nazi leaders were brought to trial in Nuremberg, Germany. The courtroom was packed with journalists, survivors, and witnesses. It wasn’t just about punishing the guilty — it was about publicly declaring the truth, exposing the lies, and showing the world that such evil could not stand.

One survivor said, “It was the first night I slept without nightmares. Because the world had finally said, ‘We believe you.’”

God’s judgment will be like that — only more complete. Every injustice, every hidden sin, every unrepentant evil will be brought into the light. And for those who have suffered and prayed, “How long, O Lord?”, it will be the day the Judge of all the earth gives his verdict, and the nightmares end forever.

Let’s move on to Luke 12:50 “50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!”

Other translations say, “how great is my distress until it is completed!” and, “how it consumes me until it is completed!”

Jesus knew that his death and resurrection, his “baptism” must take place before the judgment could come.

It seems Jesus was ready for the plan for humanity to be fulfilled.

We also feel that way about evil on the earth, don’t we?

We can relate to the Psalmist who says, Psalm 74:10 “10 How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?”

We also long for the day of judgment.

We want to see an end to suffering, evil, and death - Just as Jesus did.

We rarely hear Jesus speak about things like this - we don’t typically hear how HE feels about his mission.

We get the impression that he is ready for his work on the earth to be completed.

This makes him seem very human to us and also very relatable.

Verses 51-53 - Division upon the Earth

Let’s move on to Luke 12:51–53 “51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 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.””

What happened to the Prince of Peace?!

We are told to expect a baby who will bring peace!

Isaiah 9:6 “6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus himself tells his disciples,

John 14:27 “27 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.”

How can Jesus bring both division and peace?

Because we are required to choose - will we say yes to Jesus, or will we say no?

Saying yes to Jesus is incredibly offensive to some people - maybe even our own families.

Why is Jesus such a polarizing figure?

I can think of several reasons.

He points out our sin.

Nobody likes to be told we are wrong, or what we are doing is harmful.

Jesus came to get all up in people’s business, and many do no like that!

We are great with Jesus as long as he doesn’t try to interfere with how we’re living our life.

We resent his commands and how he points out what is sinful.

If we are not offended by some part of the Gospel, then we are not applying it to ourselves!

He claims to be the only way to heaven

Many people want to believe that being a good person is enough to have peace with God and eternal life.

Jesus says even knowing God is not enough - we MUST come through him.

He says in Matthew 7:22–23 “22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Just because we do good things in Jesus’ name doesn’t mean we have an actual relationship with him!

In a world that says, “indulge yourself,” Jesus says, “slay yourself.”

Jesus says in Matthew 16:24 “24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

The cross means death. This crowd knew it then and we know it now.

Jesus commands us to put to death the human side of ourselves.

This is unfathomable to many people!

Take up my cross?! Deny myself?! But I can’t deny who I am!

These commands are so counter-cultural, they cannot be understood without the Holy Spirit.

Does anyone have a family member who will not speak to them because they are a believer?

Early Church Father Polycarp Illustration:

Polycarp was a second-century Christian leader in Smyrna (modern-day Turkey). He was a disciple of John the Apostle and a respected pastor in his community. As the Roman Empire demanded loyalty to the emperor, Christians were pressured to renounce their faith or face execution.

Polycarp’s family and community begged him to save his life by sacrificing to Caesar. They feared for him, and some even tried to persuade him to compromise. But Polycarp famously declared:

“Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?”

He went to the arena alone, facing execution. The crowd tried to sway him, even offering safety if he would just renounce Christ, but he refused. His steadfast faith brought him into immediate conflict with those closest to him — his family, friends, and neighbors who feared for him.

Polycarp was eventually burned at the stake. His story is a vivid example that following Jesus can cost us everything - family, safety, and life itself. But his story bears witness to faith that will not be shaken. This is the sort of division Jesus was warning his disciples would come.

Jesus knew his very existence would cause division among all people

We cannot have peace apart from Jesus. But often, peace and division go together.

So let us not be surprised or offended or angry if our faith causes division in the relationships we have in our own lives.

Verses 54-56 - Interpreting the Times

Finally, let’s look at Luke 12:54–56 “54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

These verses seem like they are odd to lump in here with Jesus causing division.

This passage is talking about having an urgency about the coming judgment.

Just like we can tell what the weather will do based on the wind and clouds, so we should be able to see clearly that time is running short.

Are we living with urgency; are we concerned about how we will be judged by the Son of God?

Jesus was urging these people to open their eyes to see him as the one who saves.

He was urging them to repent, and turn from their wickedness.

Many of them were most likely living as if the kingdom of God were not in their midst!

Most likely speaking to the Pharisees in the crowd whose hearts were hardened and could not accept Jesus as the true Messiah.

They had a specific Messiah in mind. They wanted a conquering warrior who would reign in justice and piety.

Those aren’t bad things.

But, their outside holiness did not match the inner state of their hearts.

They despised the poor, sinners, and Gentiles.

Jesus accepted all of those groups, and so they despised Jesus.

They could not accept a God who would call sinners and Gentiles just as worthy as holy Pharisees to receive the gifts of God.

This is a warning to us - do we see Jesus as he is, or as we wish he was?

We are happy to talk about the love of God, the acceptance for all, the life we will live with him in eternity.

But what about the parts that are harder to swallow?

The fire, the division, the judgment?

Do we accept Jesus’ authority over these also?

Conclusion

It can be difficult for us as believers to think of Jesus as a destroyer of the unfaithful, a divider of households, and the coming judge over all of our deeds.

But we must not neglect the commands to be obedient, to die to our sinful nature,

And we must accept the accountability that will come with Jesus’ second coming.

Let us ask God to shine his light on the aspects of himself that we are unwilling to accept.

We don’t get to decide who God really is.

We only get to choose whether or not we accept him, all of him, or not.