SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Luke 12:49-59
Matthew 10:21-24

“…the children shall rise up
against their parents,
and cause them to be put to death.”

CHRIST SHALL DIVIDE

Jesus described His first advent not as bringing peace but division. The gospel is powerful to unite all believers but separates from the unbelievers who would hate and oppose the gospel. A considerable part of this world did not and will not confess Jesus but opposes and fights against the preaching of God’s Word. No man who believes in Christ is without the resistance and hatred of the enemies of Christ. Christians are warned to prepare for a spiritual battle, for they must fight for the testimony of God’s truth.

Families will be divided, believing parents from unbelieving children and vice versa. “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death” (Matt 10:21). It is not characterized by mild dissension but great contention where believers will be heavily persecuted. Jesus mentioned this so that the people would understand that when He comes again there will be eternal separation.

Jesus castigated them for a lack of discernment, upbraiding the ignorance of the Jews in general, and the obstinate infidelity of the Pharisees in particular. They could predict the earthly elements, but could not discern the time of the Messiah. Knowing that the Day of Judgment is near they should have the urgency to be reconciled to God. Jesus illustrated that a guilty man would have made every effort to reconcile with his adversary before appearing before a ruler to be judged. He would have made peace and paid all that was required before he received a sentence when it would be too late to escape the judgment. While the lost have a chance today to be reconciled with God they should repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and not wait for that final day when there will be no more forgiveness and only righteous judgment from the just God.

THOUGHT: Am I discerning the signs of the end-times?
PRAYER: Glorious Father in heaven, I thank Thee for not leaving me ignorant of the imminent return of my Saviour Jesus Christ.