Did Jesus bring peace?

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided 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 her mother-in-law.” (Luke 12: 49-53)

The fire that Jesus refers to is viewed by some scholars as the fire of the Holy Spirit and of tribulation that awaited the Lord and His disciples, as well as the fire of condemnation that will come upon those who reject Jesus Christ’s message (hell).

The Lord was expectant of the time of His crucifixion. While some believe the words of Christ (how distressed I am till it is accomplished) described His anguish as a human being, knowing how great His suffering would be. Others see the Lord longing for His redemption to take place, feeling a somewhat cheerful expectation of seeing God’s plan accomplished. Matthew Henry’s commentary probably gives the most accurate description of what the Lord might have felt about His death at that point, “It is an allusion to a woman in travail, that is pained to be delivered, and welcomes her pains, because they hasten the birth of the child, and wishes them sharp and strong, that the work may be cut short.” Our Lord knew what awaited Him, yet He welcomed His sufferings for our sake. So great was His love for us!

You might be confused by Jesus’ words, “I have come to bring division, not peace”, if you remember the song of the angels at Jesus’ birth day, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men of good will!”  The angels proclaimed peace to men (but not all of them), to men of good will; probably referring to those who seek the will of God and obey it, which fits with the message of the Bible for instance, since it is impossible for an enemy of God to enjoy real, profound peace.

Several passages of the Old Testament talk about the peace of the Messiah’s kingdom and the Jews hoped the Messiah would bring external peace to their nation. Why did the Lord say He came to bring division rather than peace?

A while ago, an unbeliever was offended by my views on abortion. She supposed that I, being a follower of Jesus, was supposed to agree with everyone. She said that I was not representing Jesus well, since He accepted everyone’s views. I had to correct her view of Jesus. He was not a people pleaser. He declared God’s truth, everything that was good, noble and perfect. He revealed their sinful hearts, that’s why He got killed! The Lord brought division, no doubt about it!

Every true Christian can testify that the Lord’s words are truth. Many of us have faced family division because of our faith. For those who live in darkness, even the slightest glimmer of light will bother them. Like a war prisoner who has spent months in total darkness and is suddenly brought outside to stand in full light, they will shut their eyes closed and reject the light of the Gospel, because it reveals the wickedness of their hearts. Likewise, we will be despised many times, insulted and belittled, even by our own families.

It is true that the Lord is called the Prince of Peace, and God talked of His kingdom as one who would bring peace, yet the time for this to be fulfilled is still to come when He will reign over all. In the meantime He has promised peace even in the midst of tribulation, to those who dwell in Him. He warned us, so we are prepared and don’t despair: “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Today’s Practice

When division or rejection comes, I will remember that my Lord Jesus has overcome the world. I am victorious in Him!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 35-39)