Does Jesus Cause Division?

Today I am going to discuss one verse in Luke 12 that has caused all kinds of problems.  It is a statement Jesus makes when teaching before a large, mixed, crowd.   The quote is this:  Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

Yes, these word came from the mouth of the one whose birth announced the hope of "peace on earth and good will among all people!"  The one who, throughout his ministry has  pronounced peace, and blessed with peace.

So, how are we, two thousands some years later, suppose to understand his pronouncement of division?   Non-peace!   He is sounding like one of Jonathan Edwards hell fire and damnation sermons.  

This is where an understanding of culture and context.  People, who are unaware of ancient family value and religious traditions, will not get the full impact of Jesus bold pronouncement, in the Jewish mind.   First of all, the family was the foundation, the  building block, in that culture.  The family was a microcosm of their social values.  Family was the number one priority!  And yes Jesus seems to be suggesting that the family structure is in danger of being separated.  Separated for somethings more important   God!  

"From now on five in one household will be divided, 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 her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." 

I will be brave enough to suggest that that is not Jesus' point.  What he was talking about is, even within the a close-knit family, the reception of Jesus' presence that will challenge the family system.  It means that family lines, and accepted cultural values, will no longer be the driving force for one's identity, allegiance or social status.  

Now something much greater will claim their allegiance.  Their allegiance to the one who come to set new parameters to the old structure and traditions. 

Now instead of family linage determining their identity.  Or  Jewish religious tradition claiming their allegiance.  There will be radical change!  

Now all of it will come down to each person's stance toward Jesus.  And even within the close knit family, some will choose to believe in Jesus; and others will choose not to believe. 

That choice will cause family line to begin to crumble.

The strong message of division, is just one more way, we are reminded that Jesus did not come to validate human realities, values, religious traditions and accepted social structures.  

Jesus came to bring God's word, God's will, God's image of grace, mercy, compassion and justice.  That is God's image!  God's design of all those qualities, to an-other-wise human idea for living.  

And the truth is well known!  Not everyone welcomed this plan of God's!  Thus, the division Jesus speak of!  That kind of division remains still today within the believes of The Creator God.

This all can be summed up in a few quick phrase:  Its either God's Plan!  Or our plan!  Those two choices have caused strong divisions, between once compatible friends and family members.

What I have learned, in the last thirty years is,  God has always hoped for a peaceful existence for all of his creation.   Something "very good!"  A space of harmony and grace for his people.  After all, he did create us to be in his image!

But, somehow, almost naturally, we resist God's peaceful ways! It is true!!  Isn't it?

It is not Jesus that is the division!  But our reaction to the mere presence of Jesus that create the dividing line. And the division is not just between "them" and "us!  This division even lives within the warring members of our own minds.   

With all our hearts we want to live in God's image!  However the lack of all the needed ingredients, to be the kind of person, that emulates God's image. They  are just not all that active in our weak wills.  Our natural nature, our strong will, when faced with the challenge to be as God created us to be, some how loses ground.

Check out Romans 7:15-25!

At the same time, this strong human will must ultimately decide how it is going to respond to Jesus' challenge.  Are we going to release our will to the movement of God's Spirit!  Or will we choose to go it on our own?

I am thinking of my four grown grandchildren right now.  Three living out of their mother and fathers protective care.  One still at home.  Parents and children universally are known for their difference.  No secret there!  The choices between parent and child are very predictable.  We have all, in one way or another, have experienced this dynamic. 

52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 

53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter...

  

Unlike in today's world, in ancient time religious, choices actually mattered!   To chose to follow Jesus was a blasphemy to the Jewish faith.  A much more critical and even shameful rebellion of the family order and social values.  More critical, because it was a dramatic reversal -- A radical perceptual shift -- of every aspect of their lives.

It was a radical shift in behavior, and thinking, that is not true in todays culture.

However, Jesus' call to "follow" is still somewhat of a disruption to our American way of living.  It is because, in many ways, it challenges our temptation to self-centeredness.  And it certainly calls our egos to attention.  Making us uncomfortable!   Uncomfortable when we see our neighbor's need.   Uncomfortable, because Jesus calls us to be compassionate to our helpless, broken and disadvantaged brothers and sisters.  

I leave you with the very best news!  He does not ask us to do it all alone!

    

51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

52 From now on five in one household will be divided, 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 her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." 

54 He 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. 

55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, "There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 

56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?