“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! (Luke 12:49-50)
Why can we believe in Christ Jesus and trust in Him as our Savior and Lord? For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) He struggled, just like we do, with wanting to do what He wanted, but rather surrendering and submitting His life to God's Will for Him. Christ accepted the fact that For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 6:38) The Will of God was that ...the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. (I John 4:14) But Christ had agonized over that, "how distressed I am till it is accomplished". Yet, up until the day before His crucifixion, He saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
We must all come to the same realization regarding our own lives. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8) Submitting to God's Will rather than our own will oftentimes brings division in our relationships. 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 12:51-53; see THE GOSPEL: Price of Being a Follower of Christ) It would be wonderful if all of us believed The Truth, but everyone won't believe, even within our own families. We must always ...speaking the truth in love,... (Ephesians 4:15) but we are not to compromise what we believe. (see Tolerance, but at what Cost?)
Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? (Luke 12:54-56; see THE GOSPEL:Pay Attention, and Understand The Sign) Yet again, Jesus uses the world "hypocrite". We know so much about how to predict what things will happen based on what we see, but so many refuse to see The Truth of Who Christ Jesus is. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; (Isaiah 44:24-26) We can read the skies, but we better believe in The One Who made the skies!
“Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.” (Luke 12:57-59; see THE GOSPEL:"You Shall Not Murder" Lesson) Yes, Christ Jesus went through everything we've gone through: not wanting to go through suffering, but submitting to the will of Him who sent Me, even when suffering was a part of that will; desiring to have a close group of friends in the twelve disciples, but knowing “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (Matthew 26:21); sharing and revealing The Truth of The Word of God to all He came in contact with, but dealing with the Hypocrites!, who refused to believe. Finally He's telling us if we have a dispute or unresolved issue with anyone, let's try to resolve it before it gets out of hand.
We can't make anyone believe The Truth, but ...as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! [Revelations 3:19-22] My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord [Job 42] —that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:7-11)
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