May 9 Kingdom Division

Luke 12:51-53 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, 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.”
 
DO Jesus’ words here contradict his birth announcement? Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” In truth, Jesus’ words do affirm the angels’ message.
    Note the heavenly host says, “peace to men on whom his favor rests.” God’s favor is required for mankind to be at peace. What is God’s favor? In a broad view, God’s favor is the outward demonstration of blessing over his people. In more particular forms, God’s favor is the ways he shows his particular traits – love, grace, joy, forgiveness, law, righteousness – to mankind. His favor is grace to save people from sin into his eternal presence with his people.
    You can say that Jesus is God’s favor in the flesh. He came to be the way and the truth to eternal life, so mankind would know the way to eternal blessing. Thus, the entire Bible – the complete counsel of God – is about the many ways God demonstrates his favor to us.
    But what happens when we talk to people of God and the Bible? Division quickly arises! We know that mankind – God’s own family – outright rejects his teachings. Then we subtly ignore his compassion, love, forgiveness, commands and mercy. We are insulted and rebellious when God’s favor corrects our sins and warns us of judgment. Division digs deeper into our souls when we tell God, “There are no absolutes. I can live in my own way. Leave me alone.” Those are the Evil One’s dividing words. Division is sin’s curse. And sin’s curse divides.
    This is why Jesus “came to bring division”. His distinct kingdom teachings are to divide you from sin and evil in order to join you with God. Certainly Jesus’ “draw-the-line” teachings divide families as he prophesied here. I know of very few families who are unified in the gospel of God. Some are divided between believer and non-believer. Doctrine, traditions or opinions divide others. Spiritual warfare strives to divide God’s people, so we remain weak and ineffective. From the beginning when sin destroyed Adam’s and Eve’s perfection, God’s Word divided their sons (Genesis 4). The parents’ sin unleashed a deadly division against God’s favor throughout history. Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Jesus came to divide the believers from the unbelievers, so his own would be saved. Such division will remain until God’s favor ends the conflict. Those who reject God’s favor will live in eternal conflict. Those who receive his favor will declare, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
    Does your family need the Lord’s favor more abundantly? Be firm to learn and know God’s eternal favor. Join the battle with prayer. Be a living example of Jesus’ passion, compassion, love, forgiveness and mercy. Be of God’s favor to tell the gospel. Be faithful to live it. Do your part. Join with God to do his will. Then be satisfied in the Lord’s sovereign favor. Remember, he is your Father in Heaven. Rejoice and rest in this great assurance.
 
Prayer: I thank you Jesus, that you came “to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (Luke 4:19). Amen.