The Fire of God’s Word
Today’s Gospel:
From Luke 12:49–53 ESV
(Jesus said) “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! … Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”
Jesus’ words sound like hard things to hear. After all, we do remember Jesus’ birth story at Christmas, right? Isn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace? Didn’t angels sing at His birth, “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men?” Of course, but the peace that Christ offers is not the flimsy peace of this world, an absence of conflict. It is peace with God through the forgiveness of sins. And that peace comes only by repentance and faith in Him.
That is why Jesus says He has come to bring division. The fire that He speaks of is the fire of His Word which purifies and divides. The cross of Christ will draw a line between those who trust in their own sinfulness and those who trust in His righteousness. Families will be divided, friendships will be lost, and the world will fight against this truth, but the division is necessary. Light and darkness cannot mix.
Christ divides sinner from saint not because He wants conflict but because in Him alone is eternal life. As believers this calls us to live with courage and clarity. We do not water down His words, or muddy the line between truth and lies. But neither do we lose sight of the fact that we stand only by His mercy.
We were once in darkness, but now are children of light. So, even as division comes, we will pray for the lost and we will witness with love because Christ wants all to be saved.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You are our peace. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, even when it brings division. Give us courage to stand as Your redeemed people and compassion to call sinners to repentance. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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