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The Point of Division

Pastor Jeremy Schultz
August 15, 2010

A sociology professor every year begins his course on "The Family" by reading to his class a letter, from a parent, written to a government official. In the letter the parent complains that his son, once obedient and well motivated, has become involved with some weird new religious cult. The father complains that the cult has taken over the boy's life, has forced him to forsake all of his old friends, and has turned him against his family.

After reading the letter, the professor asks the class to speculate what the father is talking about. Almost without exception, the class immediately assumes that the subject of the letter is a child mixed up with some strange religious or political cult. After the class puts out all of the possible conclusions they can think of, the professor surprises them by revealing that the letter, was written by a third century father in Rome to the governor of his province, complaining about this weird religious group called "The Christians."

Today's Bible reading contains one of the most troubling and difficult statements of Jesus. "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division" (Luke 12:51). Jesus says clearly that He is the point of division even in households. He says that sometimes there will be five in the same house with three against two and two against three. He says that some fathers and sons will be at odds, along with mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws (well that's maybe not so hard to believe...ha ha!) But this is...this is really hard to believe. Jesus Christ – the Prince of Peace is also the Point of Division! And it's equally tough for us to reconcile.

At Jesus' birth, the angels sang to the shepherds of "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14). But old Simeon, who took the infant Christ in his arms at the Temple declared, "This child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed" (Luke 2:34). In Luke 19, Jesus says that He longs to bring peace to Jerusalem (vs. 42). But elsewhere it's clear, "Whoever is not with Him is against Him" (9:50). After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and said, "Peace be with you" (Luke 24:36). And yet elsewhere, Jesus calls Himself "the stone of offense" (20:7). So we're left with this. Jesus IS truly the Prince of Peace who has come to bring us peace with God and peace with one another. But Jesus is also The Point of Division. And how you respond to Him will put you at odds with many in the world and perhaps even with those of your own family.

LCMS missionaries to Japan say that they see Jesus' words come true every day in their work. They say, "For many of our Christian students here in Japan, these words are present and real. In most cases, becoming a Christian is met with severe family resistance and opposition, even flatly forbidden." They illustrated with two of their tenth-grade students. Both have been given faith in Jesus and want to practice their Christianity. Both want to be baptized, but they cannot. One said, "My family is not Christian, so I have to be patient and wait for them to understand." The other said, "My mother said I can't be Christian." You see how difficult this can be? Jesus, the Prince of Peace is also The Point of Division. And you might just as well get ready to take a stand and take the heat. There's a parliamentary maneuver, a "call for a division of the house." It's a method of putting pressure on people. Most votes are voice votes. That's comfortably anonymous. But when a division of the house is called for, things can get hot. You have to stand up and be counted. It can be embarrassing if you're a congressman voting yourself another pay raise. It can be agonizing if you're casting a vote you believe is right but which you know will be unpopular. A call for a division of the house forces you to take a stand and, perhaps, to take the consequences."

That's the kind of division our Lord causes. Just as His garments were divided while He hung on the cross, so people are divided over His cross. But people eventually must take a stand, either for or against. There is no neutral territory, no safe ground. Everybody must take a stand and take the consequences! You see, Jesus is the point where things get hot. But nothing is more important moment by moment and day by day than being real clear on which side of this division you stand! It's so sad that some still do not believe – perhaps even in our homes. We must be praying for them. We must be encouraging them and never give up while we have the strength.

Because you see, the Gospel reality is that Jesus does not want to be the point of division for anyone or for any house. The reason He came was to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). The saving purpose of Jesus Christ is revealed today when He says, "I have a baptism to be baptized with and how great is my distress until it is accomplished" (vs. 50)! Jesus is talking about His death on the cross being like a drowning in baptism – that He would truly die and be buried and along with Him all the sins of the entire world. This is why Jesus has come! Not to be a point of division – that's not what He wants – but that He might bring peace between God and us through His sacrifice!

This, dear friends, is why He has come. And this is what His sacrifice has accomplished. Now you may be divided with some...even with some in your family over Him. And if you are, I'm sorry! The Epistle for today says, "Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow wear or fainthearted" (Hebrews 12:3). The more committed you are, the more hostility you can expect. But Jesus enables you to take the heat.

If you're the kind of Christian who's growing in sacrificial giving you may be put down by those who aren't. And if you're the type that witnesses to your faith, you might be called a fanatic. If you're the type that is struggling against your sinful nature, you might be called a goody two shoes. And if you're the type to show joy in the Lord, you might be called a holy roller. And if you dare to challenge the evil in our society, you might be accused of forcing your values on others. But at all of these times, look at Jesus. He is "the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame" (Hebrews 12:2).

As a Christian you can expect trials and maybe even ridicule. It could come from the general public. It might even be from those within your own family. But just like that parliamentary maneuver, Christ is calling for a division of the house. By His grace and mercy, He enables you to stand on His side of the division. He strengthens you to stand, to pray and to take the heat. Amen.