SCRIPTURE: I have a baptism [of great suffering] with which to be baptized, and how [greatly] I am distressed until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division [between believers and unbelievers]; for from now on five in one household will be divided [over Me], 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 12:50-53 AMP
The first advent of Jesus brought a lot of light into the world, but many people missed it. Light is helpful, even miraculous the way it exposes everything — from the beautiful, to the mundane, to the downright evil. Journey with author and blogger Amy Clemens as she explores the advent of one who said he was the light of the world…a light that shines in darkness…that exposes. A light that will make a second advent, with a power and glory no one will miss.
THOUGHT: Not exactly a happy-baby-in-a-manger kind of Scripture, right? Rather than the light and joy we hope for at Christmas, this is an inconvenient truth Jesus spoke that brings grief. Some of you today may be well-aware that family gatherings can be tough, family dynamics tricky, family relationships strained. Even in the midst of the miraculous, we must learn to deal with the mundane – the daily living, choosing, confronting, and being confronted with the decisions of others, even dearest others. Jesus didn’t make his advent to usher in peace between people, all is merry and bright, he broke into our world with an even bigger message: his death would provide the way to permanent peace with God.
Even within the small group of disciples Jesus trained, walked with, and befriended, there was division, infighting, pride, differences of opinion – and ultimately abandonment and betrayal. Outside that close circle, Jesus was often at odds, challenging misconceptions about God, saying hard things, visiting with the wrong people, being more desired for the miraculous than the mundane. He came to his own, but his own did not receive him (Jn. 1:11).
As you prepare for and attend Christmas gatherings this year, stop being surprised when there is tension, even among followers of Jesus. There is a day coming when Jesus will make another advent – it is then that he “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away (Rev. 21:4).”
Until then, there will be division – and lots of chances to practice “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Mt. 5:9).”
PRAYER: Oh God, help me learn to accept and deal with division and still have the hope and heart to be a peacemaker, a child of yours at peace with you, centered in what is most important without needing to prove anything to others, or have their agreement in order to practice agape love.
Dear Reader,
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ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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This one couldn’t have come at a better time … thank you!!
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Thank you, Leslie. Appreciate that, and so glad you are reading along!
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