Sometimes it is hard to grasp what Jesus is saying. He seems to be going against everything that seems to be at the heart of our Christian faith and practice. Many Christians hold the family up as being at the centre of Christian practice. There are some Christian political groups, and they are worldwide, who hold 'family values' to be at the centre of their political platform. Yet, last week's gospel reading seems confusing in the light of this: 'I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were kindled...I have come to bring division! 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...' (Luke 12: 49ff). Some people have told me that this is one of their least favourite passages of scripture. At connecT we spent time exploring this text and came up with some ways to interpret it:
- It is contextual. Identifying Jesus as the Messiah (Lord) would have caused division within both Jewish and Gentile households, and it still happens today through out the world.
- For Jesus, the Reign of God always came first; even before family, and, especially, before money and possessions.
- Putting the Reign of God first also means that we can then approach our own families with the values of that reign: unconditional love, grace, mercy, justice, and forgiveness.
- Families are very important, but God's reign is more important!
Chris
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