Jesus has been hanging out in Galilee (where he is most comfortable) and now we find him traveling toward Jerusalem.
Crowds continue to gather and grow wherever he goes…because, well, he’s a pretty cool guy.
He’s been healing folks along the way. Demons are cast out. He’s even trending on Twitter.
Hash-tag #Oneawesomedude!
He even pauses so you can take a “selfie” or two with him.
You can almost imagine him walking in a pair of Tom’s shoes (from Santa Monica, CA) and carrying a cup of locally trendy roasted Espresso coffee in hand. He is “that” cool!
And not surprising, Jesus has been teaching every place he goes…to anyone and everyone who will stop and listen…or take note.
A parable here, an exhortation there.
In fact, earlier in chapter 12 of Luke, Jesus’ teachings feel rather reassuring and cozy…he tells his followers not to worry, to consider the birds of the air and lilies of the field, reminding them that they are all precious in God’s sight.
And hear these words of comfort – “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
This is our kind of Jesus…with his gentle hipster ways and his kindly prose. He is “the man!” He’s got game!
But then, fast forward just a few verses to today’s passage…and it feels like Jesus must have had a terrible-horrible-awful-night, getting up on the wrong-side of the bed in the morning.
“I have come to bring fire to the earth, and oh how I wish it were blazing already! Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No! I’ve come for division!” Ugly words…angry words…fighting words…
Jesus is confronting and disrupting and turning things upside down – AGAIN!
Just when you think you have him all figured out…too! Whatever happened to considering the lilies of the fields? And our being precious in God’s sight?
Where did this “angry-Jesus-guy” all of a sudden come from?
Perhaps he needs to sit-down with Dr. Phil, or someone…or at least have more cups of morning coffee…do some yoga or jump into a Zumba class.
The church has never really liked talking about “this Jesus,” have we? This Jesus feels wrathful and angry, mad and intimidating.
“This Jesus” somehow seems at home with people who attend political rallies…and televangelists…and let’s be honest, Christians don’t need any more of that kind of PR! The “wrath of God” is a hard sell and always has been!
Not many kids are memorizing this verse about “fire and division” at our church camps, nor do people embroider it on pillow cases or on wall-hangings for the entryways of their homes.
A great many parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles understand the anger that can come “in the midst of real love.”
Loving parents know the “unique heartache” and “ the anger” that bubbles up when a beloved child becomes “enchanted by” or “entangled in” things that can lead to their child’s grief or harm.
Similar to a “parents’ love,” God’s anger, “holy anger” must always be viewed through a lens of “God’s love” – which may seem fierce and overwhelming, but which we know to be fundamentally good.
There is a difference between wrath that is rooted “in hatred” and wrath that is grounded “in profound love.”
Anger that draws its energy from hatred is dedicated to destruction and death, but anger that is motivated by love is dedicated to growth and edification.
And still we cry “unfair!” And ask, “Why me?”
Tough love stinks! “You don’t love me anymore!” “Why would you do this to me?”
Because I love you! I love you more than you will ever know or be able to comprehend. There is absolutely nothing that I wouldn’t do for you. I am tough on you, because I care….because I love you and I want you to be safe and unharmed.
And you just think I am being “mean…and uncaring.”
How many parents have gone through this and have said either these or similar words to their children? Yep, life is unfair…sometimes it does feel like everything is stacked against you…
But hang on, give it some time, have faith, and watch things turn around ever so slowly over time…
And keep in mind, God is on your side!