#1077. Jesus’ baptism plunges us into a new life (13/6/24)

This week in our series in Luke, we are reflecting on Luke 12:35-57. Today we see that Jesus suffered to save us and we may well have to suffer for Him.

Luke 12:35–57

‘“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, 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 daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”’ (Luke 12:49-53)

Luke 12:49–53

Lesson: Jesus’ baptism into death plunges us into a new life that involves salvation and may attract rejection.

To listen to this video, follow the link below:

https://youtu.be/MbNAL0Uufxo

Many things can bring division into a family or community. As we approach a general election, and as we are seeing in politics in other parts of the world, this can be a great cause of division. Many people make rules such as, ‘let’s not talk about religion or politics’ and this is because they are so important that they can divide us. In many countries it’s illegal to convert to Christianity and one would certainly suffer a great deal if one was to confess conversion to Christ.

Jesus begins this section with”

‘“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”’

This is a reference to the fire of hatred that many who know Christ will experience. To reinforce this idea, He adds:

‘“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.  From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, 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 daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”’

I hope we can see the cost of following Christ may be rejection. As we stand up for Christ, the gospel and Christian values, we may suffer the fire of division as Jesus himself suffered.

It’s worth noting that when He says, ‘“how I wish it were already kindled!”’ He is not speaking of a strange desire for this conflict! Rather, He is speaking of His desire to get past His suffering and to the other side of the cross. In these last days we must be prepared to suffer the fire of conflict for our faith. In speaking of the fire of persecution, He is also speaking of the sanctifying - improving - effect on those who are prepared to keep loving Jesus even when they suffer for it.

Christians’ suffering is likened to fire, and Jesus suffering is likened to ‘baptism’.

‘“But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!”’

Here, reference to Jesus’ baptism, is about His going down into death for us and being raised from death. The act of Baptism is designed to be symbolic of Jesus’ death and resurrection that saves us. Yes, we may have to suffer the ‘fire’ and ‘division’ for our faith, but Jesus has suffered so much more.

Response

Jesus’ baptism into death plunges us into a new live that involves salvation and may attract rejection. Whilst, of course, we may well never truly suffer for our faith, we will all face various pressures to be ashamed, compromise or to keep our faith private. Let’s remember Jesus’ love as expressed in this ‘baptism’ into death for us. Let’s remember His resurrection and that He has promised to be with us. Let’s trust that He will help us, by The Spirit, to remain faithful to Him no matter what.