DO YOU THINK THAT JESUS CAME TO BRING PEACE ON EARTH?
(see ECUSA Lectionary, the Gospel for August 19th, 2001, Luke 12:49ff.)

Jesus of Nazareth asked the following question of his disciples: Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth?

Today, if this question were asked of Episcopalians I believe that most would answer, “Yes of course!” And if pressed as to why they answered in the affirmative they would probably refer to that most holy of all ECUSA documents, the “Baptismal Covenant,” where a purpose of the baptized Christian is said to be “striving for justice and peace among all people.” (Most people are probably not aware that the origins of these words is in the social revolution of the 1960s rather than in the teaching of Jesus.)

In fact Jesus answered the question himself with a resounding NO. “No I tell you, but rather division.” Jesus did not come to bring give peace on earth in this evil age but rather he came to cause division. What he meant by division he then explained in terms of divided families and divided communities. Those who refused his Gospel would be set against those who accepted it. So hostility would exist on earth in many homes and families and tribes and communities, and the division would be in terms of acceptance or rejection of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God centered on Jesus himself.

Before he asked this question about peace on earth, Jesus made two extraordinary statements and they cast light upon the question he posed, and the answer he gave.

One was, “I have a Baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!” Obviously we know now that Jesus was referring to his death which loomed before him as the culmination of his work on earth; of his being immersed in suffering, pain, separation from his disciples and moreso separation from his Father in heaven. By this Baptism would come the salvation of the world, the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church.

The other was, “I came to cast fire on the earth and would that it were already kindled!” Here he refers to the coming of the refining fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, after his own ascension into heaven. Did not John the Baptist cry out: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…”? The descent of the Holy Spirit from the Father through the Son, the Lord Jesus, is to burn up the dross of sin, to purify the souls of men, to convict people in the word of sin and righteousness and judgment, to inspire them to holiness and service for the kingdom, and to prepare the elect of God for their heavenly habitation. As a result of this work, there occurs hostility for the devil causes people to resist and to declare war upon the work of the kingdom of God. There will be no peace until after the Last Judgment!

Yet though Jesus did not come as the Incarnate Son to give peace to this earth, yet by the gift of the Holy Spirit, he does give that peace which passes understanding to the repentant, believing, and obedient soul! Let us receive that peace and with it face the hostility caused by the Gospel!

The Revd Dr Peter Toon
August 18,2001