May 8 Kingdom Fire

Luke 12:49-50 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!”
 
LET’S begin this “fire-baptism” lesson with John the Baptist’s words from Luke 3:16 “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” As God’s anointed prophet, John pointed to Jesus as the one who would ignite the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus affirms he is the one with his words, “I have come to bring fire on the earth.”
    Fire is generally used in two very-different symbolic ways throughout the Bible. First, fire points to judgment as in in Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.  Second, fire represents God’s life and power as at Pentecost: Acts 2: 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. The fire Jesus desires here is God’s judgment.
    Yes, it’s true Jesus did not come to judge, but to save (Matthew 20:28). And he often points to his second coming as the day of judgment (Matthew 13:41). Yet, in this moment our servant Lord desires the holy judgment fire to devour evil and to cleanse the world for God’s righteousness. Has the Lord shifted his purpose?
    Jesus’ purpose didn’t change; he desires the Father to complete his salvation plan for the world. If you have been following Jesus’ kingdom teachings this past week, you have read Jesus’ judgment words: Believe and live for God – or suffer eternal punishment. Now Jesus declares he is ready for the baptism of the cross. He is eager for the Father’s judgment fire to consume sin.
    Jesus is the Son of God, who longs for God’s holiness to recreate and rule the world as at the creation. He is the loving Good Shepherd, eager for all his chosen people to live in his joy and love.
    Impatient for the cross, eager for God’s cleansing fire, Jesus longs for the day Eden will be restored. He keenly desires his own to be with him. What great love we should know for such a Savior!
    Does God’s fire need to cleanse you in some way? Do you lovingly consider Jesus’ baptism on the cross? This is your personal Lord and Savior. He is ready for the trumpet to sound, so you can go home to him.
 
Prayer: I love you, Jesus. Your baptism and judgment have removed my sin. In you I am free of my past. I am joyful to live forever with you. Amen.