In 1 Samuel 28 we find one of the oddest stories in the Bible. Israel is on the brink of a battle with the Philistines, and Saul is growing anxious as to what will be the outcome of this battle. The problem, however, is that the Lord is not answering his prayers, showing his judgment for Saul’s sin. Therefore, Saul consults a medium at Endor who brings up Samuel from the dead. Far from giving Saul what information he wants, though, Samuel informs him that this battle will bring about his death.
As I mentioned, it is an odd story. It’s one of those texts that we’re tempted to think part would have no part in the Bible, one of those stories that makes little sense, and one of those events in Saul’s life that makes us think he was completely different from the kind of persons we are. In fact, I would be willing to guess that none of us visits a local psychic to see what he or she might tell us or the local medium to see if we can speak to someone who has died.
But where we are not different from Saul is in our desire to know the future. We understand the power and insight that comes with knowing what the future holds. Stockbrokers try to determine what the future value of a stock will be so that they can determine if today is a time to act and what action one should take – whether buying or selling. We typically plan weddings in advance so that we know how much time we have to prepare and what things need to be done each day leading up to that event. Simply put, knowing what the future holds helps us to understand what the present time means and what it is that we need to be doing.
I want to propose this morning that this is the paradigm of the text before us. In this text Jesus tells his hearers what the future holds, what that means for the present time, and what that means we need to be doing. Therefore, I want to hold out the truths of this text to us this morning in that form. I first want to show us what the future holds, according to this text. I will show us that in the first couple verses of the text. Then I want to walk through the rest of the text, section-by-section, showing what how that future event informs our understanding of today and what we need to be doing. So, let us first turn to this statement of what the future holds.
That is to say, there is a certain day coming when life will not simply continue on as is. Rather, things will come to a halt and men will stand before Christ, some receiving judgment as his enemies and others receiving salvation as children of God. But before we elaborate on that, let’s see why we can say that according to the text.
After having spoken of the day when he will return to the earth in the previous section (which we looked at last week: 12:1-48), Jesus moves on to looking at why he has come to the earth, period. He begins to speak of his mission. And in 12:49-50 Jesus states, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!”
Now, at first we might say, “What is he talking about?” What in the world does fire and baptism refer to? After all, it’s hard to imagine that Jesus is longing to literally set the world on fire. And it’s impossible to think he means being baptized in water when he refers to baptism because he’s already been baptized by John. Therefore, if we were speaking of water baptism he would not be longing for something to be accomplished in the future that has already taken place in the past. So, what then is Jesus talking about here?
Well, let’s take the statements one at a time. Jesus came to cast fire on the earth and wishes that this act of casting fire on the earth had already begun. What does fire symbolize? Throughout Luke’s gospel it seems that fire is used again and again as a symbol of judgment. Multiple times Jesus refers to those being judged as those thrown into fire, even unquenchable fire. And when James and John want to see judgment fall upon the Samaritans who reject Jesus, they ask Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven on them. Therefore, it is likely that fire refers to judgment. Thus, if we substitute the idea of judgment for fire then Jesus is saying that he has come to bring about God’s judgment on the earth and wishes that this act of judgment had already begun.
But if that’s the case, how does this square with Jesus’ statements in other texts that he has come not to condemn the world but that the world through his might be saved or that he has come to seek and save that which is lost? How can he say in one text that he has come to save and in another that he has come to bring judgment on the earth? And why would he long for such judgment, wishing that it had already begun?
I think we can answer these questions by answering a few other questions. When God declared in Genesis 3:15 that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent, was that a promise of judgment for God’s enemies or a promise of salvation for God’s people? When God declared that he would exalt himself over Pharaoh and eventually crushed him and his army in the sea, was that a promise and act of judgment against God’s enemies or a promise and act of salvation for God’s people? Or when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, was that an act of judgment, dealing a fatal blow to his enemies, or was it an act of salvation for his people? We know that the answers to each of these questions is that it is both. The salvation of God’s people occurs through the judgment of God’s enemies. Jesus has already shown us in Luke’s gospel that even the deliverance of people from demons is an act of judgment against his enemies (binding the strong man). Salvation occurs through the judgment of God’s enemies. Even the great marriage supper of the lamb is immediately preceded by cries of “Hallelujah” for God “has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants” (Revelation 19:2).
Therefore, Jesus’ longing for judgment on the earth is equally a longing for the salvation of his people. One cannot occur without the other. Thus, there is no contradiction is Jesus saying that came to cast fire on the earth (judgment) and that he has come to seek and save that which is lost. And it also reveals why he would have such a deep longing for the day when this fire is kindled.
As we move to the second statement, then, Jesus says, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” (12:50). Now, again, he doesn’t literally mean water baptism here because he had already been baptized. Baptism, however, is used figuratively to point to judgment and death. Even when we are immersed in baptismal waters are believers, we are saying that we have come under judgment in Christ and have been raised with Christ. Therefore, when Jesus speaks of his coming baptism, he speaks of the time when the judgment of God will come on him. That is, he is talking about the cross.
So as Jesus considers why he came to the earth, he points to the fact that he has come to receive the judgment of God for sinners, judgment that should have come to us, judgment that he took in our place. And he was filled with distress until that should be accomplished. Could you imagine living your life knowing that this event of dying on a cross, taking the wrath of God would be how your life was to end? That’s what kind of distress Jesus lived under. Why then did he submit to such a death? The answer is that the defeat of his enemies and (simultaneous) salvation of his people could occur no other way. This is the means by which God had ordained to remain just and yet justify his people.
Therefore, as we see these two confusing and strikingly harsh-sounding verses, we need to hear the mercy of God echoed here. Christ longs for the coming judgment and salvation, and he longs to be on the other side of his death, burial, and resurrection (that which was necessary for our salvation).
We can then say, knowing that Christ did indeed die on the cross and rise from the dead, that this judgment and salvation Jesus spoke of in verse 49 is a sure a certain thing. Judgment and salvation are a sure and certain coming reality. I don’t know exactly when that great day will occur when Jesus will return to finally judge his enemies and save his people, but we do know that it is sure and certain. That’s what the future holds. Therefore, let’s ask the questions, “What does that mean concerning this present time?” and “What does that mean that we must do?” I want to answer those questions looking at the rest of our text this morning.
The first thing this coming reality means about this present time is that this present time is one in which people will be divided over their response to Jesus
Jesus continues, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, 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 her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law” (12:51-53).
Jesus says that his coming is not going to result in everyone joining hands and singing, “We are the world.” His coming will result in division, even division within families. But why? The reason is based on the reality of that final day of judgment. On that final day, when people are judged, they will be divided based on their response to Jesus in this life. Some will be cast into hell while others will be blessed to spend eternity with God. By the same token, then, that division will already show itself in this present time as people manifest either their love or hatred for Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul Blizzard, a former pastor in the area where I grew up, tells a story in his testimony of division caused by his coming to faith in Christ. He grew up Jehovah’s Witness, became a leader within that group, but eventually heard the gospel of the glorious and exalted Christ and believed. Not long after that, his little girl died. She was only a few years old, I can’t remember exactly, perhaps around the age of my own little girl, Marie. And when they had her funeral the funeral directors had roped off several rows for family, but the Blizzards and their two sons were the only ones in those rows. Their families wouldn’t associate with them, even at the funeral of their little girl. Why? It’s not because of some big fight or gross sin. It’s because Paul and his wife had become followers of Christ. Jesus came to bring division.
What then must we do in light of this reality?
We must simply acknowledge this reality and prepare ourselves for it. People will shun, hate, persecute, and perhaps even kill you because of Christ. And if this happens we should not be surprised. Jesus told us this would happen. We need to ready ourselves each day to hold fast to Christ despite the division such a confession might bring. This is one of the reasons meditation on the Scripture and prayer are so crucial. It’s not important so that you can say you’ve done it. It’s important because it’s a means by which we grow in our faith as to who Jesus is and our love for him. It is a means by which we strengthen our commitment to him.
We especially need to prepare our children for these realities. I believed in Christ when I was quite young, and I don’t know if I remember anyone telling me that there would be great cost for following him. I don’t remember anyone saying to me, “Lee, people might hate, persecute, and even kill you one day because of your commitment to Christ.” But that is exactly what the Bible tells us. That is what Jesus is telling us here.
To the children with us this morning, if you’ve become a believer, it is very likely that you’ll grow up in a nation where people will persecute you and perhaps even kill you. Even family members who do not themselves become Christians may grow to hate you. But know that if this happens, Jesus is not surprised. He has told us this will happen, and know that we must continue to follow him because one day we will stand before him in judgment, and only those who have believed and followed him will live with him forever. And there is more this text tells us about this present time. We also see that now, this present time, is the time to be reconciled to God.
As Jesus continues speaking he begins to rebuke the crowds for not being able to discern the present time. He points out that when they see a cloud rising in the west, they are able to discern that a storm is coming, knowing that moisture was probably gathered from the sea. Equally, they see a south wind and declare that it’s going to be scorching hot, as that wind would have blown across the desert. However, Jesus concludes, “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (54-56).
They’re able to discern the weather but they miss that the Messiah, God’s King, has come to earth and is right in front of them. They miss that they need to acknowledge Christ as their Lord now because judgment is coming. So Jesus gives them what looks like a disconnected story and exhortation, but I think it makes more sense if we see Jesus using this story like a parable.
Jesus says, “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny” (57-59).
Jesus has been talking about the need to respond to God and will continue to talk about that need, so why does he give this story about settling with those whom you have wronged before you are declared guilty before the judge? I think it’s because this story is pointing to a greater reality. I think Jesus is saying that since we know the judgment day is coming, we need to settle with the one before whom we are guilty in this present time. That is, we need to be reconciled to God in this life before we face him in judgment in the next. For if we fail to be reconciled now, then we will hear nothing but his judgment then. What then should we, as Christians, do?
We need to realize that judgment could come quite soon, that people need to respond to Christ immediately, and that we need to tell them this truth. Now I know you have heard a condemnation of manipulating people into making a decision even in this church, and we should indeed condemn that kind of thing. To talk a man into simply saying he believes or praying a prayer if there is no genuine faith there is not a kind thing to do. It will leave many thinking they know Christ when they really don’t and will fill our church with unsaved church members.
However, we do not need to overreact to this and forget to tell men how pressing their need is. When you share the gospel, urge men and plead with them to see their need to respond to Christ immediately. Let them know that it is a danger to ignore the good news. We must not manipulate them and don’t press them to claim they truly repent and believe if they will acknowledge that it is not true. But neither let them leave your presence once you’ve shared the gospel without being completely aware that they need to respond to Christ quickly, lest they put off eternal realities, and one day meet their accuser without having been reconciled to him.
Yet Christ continues, showing that our response to Christ must be to acknowledge our sinfulness and to repent.
Someone might end chapter 12 asking, “But how are we reconciled to God? How do we “settle with our accuser?” Jesus shows us the answer in 13:1-5. As Jesus is speaking to the crowds there are some that come to him and tell him about some Galileans whom Pilate had killed as they went to make sacrifices, mingling the blood with the sacrifices. Perhaps they were bringing this up to see how Jesus would respond to the actions of a political figure like Pilate. Jesus, however, does not allow them to focus on Pilate but turns the question back to them. He asks, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?” (13:2). That is, the fact that these men had such a brutal death, does that make you think they must have been really bad sinners getting what they deserved from God?
If truth be told, the crowd would probably have answered, “yes.” But Jesus declares, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” He then brings up the story of some eighteen people who died when a tower in Siloam fell on them, asking if they were worse offenders than all others, and he answers, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (13:3, 5).
What Jesus is showing us is that we don’t see that someone is guilty before God based on how they die in this life. There is no difference between the man killed by lighting and who quietly dies in his sleep after living a long life. If neither of them repented and believed in Christ then both are guilty and both will perish in judgment, being thrown into the lake of fire. The fact that judgment and salvation are coming on that final day should lead us to see that everyone needs to repent before God.
This may sound so simple, but it is a truth we cannot ignore, and it is a truth I think we need to remind ourselves of often. My brother-in-law is not a Christian, and for the longest time when he would speak of his response to the gospel he would say, “I just don’t think I need to be saved in order to live a better life.” So one day I realized that misunderstood his problem. His problem was not that he wasn’t living an okay life by the world’s standards. His problem was that he was facing the wrath of God being poured out on him in judgment and needed to repent.
We must make sure that those with whom we share the gospel understand their guilt and need to repent lest they perish. We are like those going out ahead of the tanks in war saying to our enemy, “Be reconciled to the victor now because though I don’t know when they will arrive, if you do not confess your guilt and repent of your actions you will surely die as an enemy.” We must make that our cry as we go forth with the gospel.
And finally, Jesus shows us that God’s delay in judgment is his demonstration of patience, giving them opportunity to repent and obey.
Jesus concludes with a parable about a fig tree. A man planted it in a vineyard, came looking for fruit on it, and found none. He did this for three years. So, finally, he told the vinedresser, “Cut it down.” But the vinedresser said, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but it not, you can cut it down” (13:8-9).
Some might think that God is not keeping an account of man. Some might say that judgment has been delayed so long that it must not be coming. But we know it is; we’ve already seen it in our text. Why then is it taking so long? The answer is that God is showing patience, giving people an opportunity to respond correctly to him. He is giving them an opportunity to repent. But he hasn’t forgotten judgment. And on that day when he decides it has been long enough, he won’t put off judgment any longer. Therefore, this present time in which God is delaying judgment is a demonstration of his patience to those who do not believe.
Peter has told us that many will say, “Look, judgment hasn’t come for years, just admit you’re wrong.” But we’re supposed to point out that this delay is for their good. God is showing them patience, but they better repent, for his patience is not forever, and judgment is coming.
As those who know that judgment and salvation is coming, we must prepare ourselves for division, show men their immediate need to respond to Christ, show them that response is repentance, and point out to them that God is being patient but that judgment will not delay forever. That must be our present response to what we know about that future day.
And if you are not a Christian sitting with us this morning, all those things I’ve told us that we must tell others, I say to you. You are guilty in your sin, with the wrath of God hanging over you. It’s not come to you yet because God has been patient. But judgment will not delay forever, therefore you need to repent now and be saved. With every day you delay you are storing up God’s wrath for yourself and risk dying in your sins and facing the judge without having been reconciled to him in this present time. So, why will you die in your sins? Don’t. Repent and believe this morning.
For believers, let us respond to these realities and exhortations by saying, “Yes, and amen” as we come to the table, asking for God’s grace to obey. Amen.