The Westminster Story
In the early 1900s, J. Gresham Machen served as NT professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. For 23 years held that post. However, theological compromise began to take hold and Princeton and Machen was gravely concerned. He would later details his concerns in his well-known work, “Christianity and Liberalism.” Unorthodox doctrinal teachings, which questioned the authority of the Bible, were creeping into the school. Machen raised concerns, but to no avail. He, and others like him, had choice: to stay in place or to go boldly.
In 1929, Machen and some other professors chose the latter. They took a stand for the truth of the Bible and the centrality of Christ. This decision was costly—they sacrificed jobs, status, legacy and financial security to do what they felt was right. Machen even lost his ministry ordination credentials in a well-publicized trial.
To top it off, this all occurred just before the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression. Still, amidst all that uncertainty, they moved down the road to Philadelphia and founded the well-known Westminster Theological Seminary. It began with few resources, no land, and no name recognition. As noted on their website, “it had every reason to fail.”
In his first address to the fledgling school, Machen uttered these famous words, “But to Christ, despite all, we hold.” In a culture of compromise, when everyone was going the other way, he reminded them that Jesus is worth it. Today, Westminster has a 90-year legacy of faithfulness to the Scriptures and the Gospel.
Why did Machen and his associates take this stand and leave Princeton? Sometimes, it is necessary to take a stand. Sometimes, it is necessary to divide. If remaining faithful to Christ causes division, division is necessary.
Unity At All Costs?
I wonder if that is something with which many of us can resonate. Today’s cultural climate is rank with division. In fact, many of us ask, “Why can’t there be more unity?” Other of us might say, “I just can’t compromise on that issue!” Everywhere we look, division seems prevalent—can you feel that tension?
Then, to exasperate the issue, everyone is speaking in stark extremes. If you don’t agree with me you are evil and immoral! It makes sense that we would long for more unity in life. As a result, and from our longings, we speak in platitudes about an undefined unity. But is that type of unity the goal? Should we have unity at all costs … or should we count the cost and unite around the truth of Scripture, like Machen?
I’ll give you another example from the church world. Is anyone familiar with #exvangelical? This is a current movement of people who have left the Evangelical church. They cite many issues which intersect with CLEAR Biblical teachings. In many ways, this division stems from Scripture itself and even the nature of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. This has divided family members. For some of us, this is a reality right now, even with your own children.
Our passage today, in Luke 12:49-13:5, speaks rather boldly division. As Machen said, “To Christ, despite all, we hold.” In our day and age, like Machen’s, remaining faithful to Christ has sparked division. Now we encounter something odd and unnerving in Luke 12:49-51. Jesus describes himself as a divider. This is not a comforting passage but it is a necessary passage. Let’s read the first part together:
“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five 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, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:49-53, ESV)
This is not an easy word but it is God’s word. In fact, I want to highlight that these are the words of Jesus himself. What does it team us about navigating division?
Feel The Fire
In fact, v. 49 follows a parable where Jesus was talking about servants receiving punishment. Now, he says this:
“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! (Luke 12:49, ESV)
Alright, so in this verse, we learn who started the fire (Your welcome, Billy Joel!). Jesus starts the fire! Some of you are saying, “Hold on a second Jesus … is this a good idea? I’m not sure fire is safe?” You are right—fire is not safe. Jesus is not safe. As C.S. Lewis once alluded, “He is good.”
As I mentioned in the opening, I want you to notice this is a statement of mission. Jesus is telling us why he came to earth. He makes a number of these statements in Luke. He says things like, “I came to seek and save the lost.” Here, you have to ask, what is up with the fire? In the Greek, “FIRE” is in the emphatic position—it is the main point of the statement.
Commentator Robert Stein notes that, in this context, “FIRE” can be viewed in two ways: (1) First, it can refer to the final judgment at the end of history. (2) Second, fire can refer to how God’s coming kingdom divides people into two camps. Based on the context of this verse, the second is likely true. It is this fire which rightly divides the evil from the good. However, this division will reveal who follows Jesus and who rejects Jesus. Rejection of Jesus will lead to judgment, which is the truth we learn about Jesus mission in v. 49: Jesus came to bring judgment.
However, this is only half the story. Because the judgment exposes our sin, we need to see the second element of his mission:
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:50, ESV)
This baptism does not refer to his time with John the Baptist. This baptism would have been a well-known image in the ancient world that paralleled the “cup.” Baptism refers to Jesus suffering and death on the cross—which is the road Luke is leading us on. The key to understanding this metaphor is found in the parallel passage, Mark 10:38. Here, Jesus is also speaking to the disciples …
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38, ESV)
The cup was symbol of God’s wrath poured out. Jesus is telling them—I am going to face the greatest agony anyone could ever face. I am going to be baptized with fire on the cross—for you! The fire that should burn you—it will burn me! And I will remain there until the mission is done.
Jesus came to bring judgement, but more importantly for us: Jesus came to bear judgment. The reason he came the first time, 2000 years ago was to take on the wrath of God for sinners like you and I. He came to seek and save the lost by bearing the judgment of God on our behalf. Both times … sin is atoned for. Both times, fire is involved. Jesus doesn’t just bring the fire; he bears the fire for us.
Face The Fallout
Jesus next statement is shocking.
Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. (Luke 12:51, ESV)
Hold on a second! Pause! Isn’t Jesus the guy who the prophet Isaiah called, the prince of peace? Wasn’t Jesus announced by the angels in Luke 2, mind you, as the one who brings peace on earth? Doesn’t Paul tell us in his letter to the Ephesians that Jesus tears down the wall of hostility and brings peace? You bet.
So what are we to do this this verse? “I have not come to bring peace … rather division.” Jesus is a divider. Now that’s a head scratcher. How many of you in the audience think of Jesus as a divider? Not many.
This is an uncomfortable verse. What is Jesus saying? What’s striking about this verse is that Jesus seems to add division to his mission. Notice the “I have come” statement. I have come to bring the fire and that fire will divide people. The best way to understand this verse is the response people have to Jesus. Some will accept him others will not. There will be division.
This brings us back to our original tension. We live in a divided culture, and it makes many uncomfortable. Can’t we all just get along? The answer is, on some issues, “No … we can’t.” Following Jesus is one of them. Now, he illustrates the consequences …
For from now on in one house there will be five 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 her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:52-53, ESV)
Who is living this right now? This is another striking statement. Let’s recap. Jesus came to bring the fire of judgment. Jesus came to divide. That is his mission. He even goes so far as to say that following him, loving him, obeying him will put you at odds with your whole extended family.
Yet, Jesus says his mission, the reason he came, is not to bring peace but division. Why? Jesus knew people would reject him. And he was okay with that. It’s us that have the problem. As hard as it is to do we need to preach Jesus and leave the rest to him. I would like to suggest unity is not the goal. Rather, we need to unify around the right truths. “There is a proper time to divide.” The question is … when? Let me offer three tiers to consider:
FIRST TIER ISSUE: First tier issues are what Jesus is talking about in this passage. These are disagreements which require division. Some examples: the deity of Christ, the authority of the Bible, and, I would say the definition of marriage and humanity.
SECOND TIER ISSUE: Second tier issues might divide us due to their practical significance. These are issues such as the use of supernatural gifts, church government, and who can be a pastor. Those are important issues … but their practicality will change the way church is expressed.
THIRD TIER ISSUES: Third tier issues are issues that should not divide us. It is good to debate them, but the positions should be held with an open hand. Topics like positions on eschatology, views on alcohol consumption, etc. would be in this category.
However, I will point out again—Jesus is talking about a first tier issue in Luke 12: following him. You have either given your life to Jesus or you have not. There is no lukewarm, in between position. When you follow Jesus, especially today, you will: Face the Fallout.
Repent! Or Perish
Because the way we make disciples is not by telling them what their itching ears want to hear. The way we make true disciples, and the way we grow deeper in our walk with Christ, is by calling people to REPENTANCE.
At the beginning of Luke 13 Jesus drives this point home. He outlines two disputes. One incident involved the Galileans. One incident at the tower of Siloam. Both were sinful and destructive in God’s sight. Both came with a warning and call to action:
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3, 5, ESV)
Unless you repent … unless you repent … unless repent. The Kingdom of God is here! I have come to cast fire on the earth. It’s here—but in the future, when the kingdom comes in all its fullness, it is going to burn even hotter. Here is the message: We are all sinners … REPENT! Or Perish (13:1-5). I’ve never forgotten the words of one seminary professor, because they are the words of Jesus himself: “You must preach REPENTANCE!”
Friends, have you repented of your sins? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus and trusted in him and him alone for salvation? If you have not, I say to you with love and concern, the fire is coming. You will bear the weight of judgment alone. But you don’t have to. Jesus came to turn up the heat so that we would repent. It is his kindness, Paul tells us, that leads us to repentance.
And if you are someone who objects to this message, let me just say this, especially to younger generations: judgment is real. In fact, I would argue, all of us want judgment. But who gets to be the judge? If someone wrongs you, you want someone to do something about it don’t you? Imagine a world, where anyone could walk in your house and steal with no consequence. Imagine a world where someone could kidnap your children, be caught and face no consequences. Imagine a world where you could be beaten, left on the side of the street, and your attacker could face no consequence.
I recently saw several headlines on women running, jogging in NYC, who were simply punched in the face by random strangers. Apparently, this is a thing. The women report being assaulted … in broad daylight … while they were walking down the street on their phones. Don’t you want these men arrested? Imagine a world where there were no consequences. Its absurd. No one functionally believes it. We all want a judge.
But who gets to judge? The truth is, we all want to be the judge. We want to decide what is right and wrong for us. There is only one just judge who brings righteous fire. Jesus says, “Let me judge … focus on your repentance … Stay true to me.” Or, as J. Gresham Machen said, “To Christ, despite all, we hold.”
That may cause division. Still, to follow Christ you must Feel the Fire. Face the Fallout. Repent … or perish.
