I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see [a] cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does; 55 and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
57 “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Jesus came with a message to purify (v. 49), to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Lk. 3:16), and to separate faithful from unfaithful stewards (Mt. 24:45-51). He will be in anguish until his baptism (Mk. 10:38), when he journeys to Jerusalem to accomplish his exodus (Lk. 9:31), his suffering, death on the cross and his resurrection which allowed for the salvation of all mankind (v. 50). Simeon’s prophesy would be fulfilled (Lk. 2:33), and as prophesied in the OT, “The son belittles his father, the daughter rises up against her mother, The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and your enemies are members of your household (Mic. 7:6; vv. 51-53).”
Jesus told the crowd that they can see signs of changes in the weather but cannot see God’s intervention in salvation history through his ministry (vv. 54-56). They have the ability to judge what is right and are intelligent enough to seek reconciliation in a dispute rather than risk the possibility of imprisonment. They should use that same intelligence to read the sign of the times and reconcile with God now before they stand before Him for the final judgment (vv. 57-59).
Almighty God, shine your light of truth upon us that we may see clearly what is right and just and act in accordance with the teachings of your Son. Grant us your peace so that we seek reconciliation not division and be sources of comfort to others. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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