Christians by and large are nice people. Jesus said for us to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. And didn't the angel announce "peace on earth goodwill towards men"?
So why on earth did he make this statement in Luke 12:
"Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division."
So what's going on? Jesus didn't come the first time to bring peace on earth, but peace between God and man. It marks a separation. No more is it just man against God. With Jesus there is a way back to God, but not all will choose that way. So now there are those who belong to Jesus and those who don't.
Jesus says later in chapter 13 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."
Not everyone will be happy with your choice to follow Jesus and enter through that narrow door. In fact, some will be mad at you, angry, even hurtful and vicious. They may even try to kill you. So what should you do in that case? Love them, for sure. Pray for them - yes. But don't back down from your choice of a new relationship with God even if it means a broken relationship here on earth.
In cases like that Jesus acknowledges there will be division, and that's okay. It's not okay to back away from Jesus just because someone doesn't like your choice. Who knows - sometimes the person who is the most angry about it is actually wrestling with the choice themselves.
Pastor Tom
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