Luke 12:51-53 - Divided households

Scripture:

 

Luke 12:51-53

51 "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;

52 for from now on five members 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 daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

NASU

 

 

Thoughts:

 

Jesus is pointing out the divisive nature of truth.  As members within a household respond to Him, those that don't will not understand or agree, and division is created.  This was especially true for those He was addressing.  In 1st century Judaism, to respond to Christ would likely lead to the doors of the local synagogue being closed to you, cutting you off from your community.  One's own family might even separate from you then, for fear that they too would be cast out of the synagogue, the center of Jewish life at that time.

 

Today, the consequences of accepting Christ are not generally so harsh for those in Western nations.  However, this division persists.  I wish this wasn't how it had to be, but it's true.  And why wouldn't it be?  After all, the Bible tells us that in the spiritual realm, there is a war that's happening.  Before coming to Christ, we were His enemies.  Having received His gift of salvation, we now are at peace with Him.

 

Romans 5:10

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
NASU

 

So, it should not be a surprise when those around us who are not in Christ and therefore still enemies of God, don't agree with everything we say or do.  We should not be surprised when we don't really "fit in" anymore with those we did before Christ.  This is the nature of things.  As we seek to live for truth, others content to walk in darkness, will not understand or even like it at times.

 

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, thank You for bringing me into the light.  Thank You that my life has been changed.

 

Help me to understand that those in my life who are not in Christ, are not going to see things the way You do or even feel it necessary at all points to behave in ways that honor You.  Give me the grace and wisdom to handle the disagreements that come.  Give me strength to not give-in to pressure to conform to attitudes and actions that are not in line with Your word.  And give me a heart of compassion for these people, in the hopes that Your witness through me, might draw them to You. 

 

Amen

 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.