Cop Jim Malone asked Eliot Ness in The Untouchables, “What are you prepared to do?” That’s a good question for us to consider. How far are you prepared to go? What stand will you take? Are you ready for war? What is your life worth? Jesus hits on this same point in Luke 12:49-59. The fact is, knowing and following Christ is a serious matter, that brings division, even to a family. He deserves our utmost attention. How do you respond to Him today? What are you prepared to do?
Jesus headed to the cross with fire and baptism of judgment. This was His purpose, sent by the Father to make payment for your sins. Only Jesus can restore the broken relationship between God and man, because of our sin, by dying on the cross and rising in triumph. He made payment for our sins as part of God’s rescue plan for our souls. He was focused and unapologetic on His mission, no matter the cost.
This cost would bring division, even upon a family. Children against children, children against parents, parents against children. Christ ruptures relationships. “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” He refers to this again in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” These are weighty and challenging words. What if following Jesus costs you your family? What are you prepared to do?
Do you see Christ for who He is? What is your relationship with Him? Do you “poo-poo” Jesus and spend more time interpreting the news? Are you more busy analyzing the weather or Dow Jones? Is your focus on sports scores or entertainment updates? “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” In other words, “Why do you not know who I am?”
Settle up with Jesus today. Make the right response. In the financial world, if you are behind on loan payments or credit collectors are knocking at your door, you fix the problems with them BEFORE it goes to court, because by then it will be too late. You won’t have enough pennies to get out of jail. That’s how it works with Jesus: settle up with Him today, before judgment comes and it’s too late. Praise God Jesus pays the penalty for you; receive Him as Lord and Savior. What are you prepared to do?
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