Monday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 12:49-50
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
12:49–53 Jesus came not only to bring salvation but also to become the “Great Divider” of humanity, as people decide whether or not to follow him. Cast fire on the earth probably refers not to final judgment but to the refining fire of division between believers and unbelievers (see vv. 51–53). I have a baptism. Whereas the “fire” affects the world, this “baptism” is Christ’s own suffering and death, which would pour over him like a flood (cf. Ps. 88:7; Jonah 2:3; and notes on Mark 10:38 and 1 Pet. 3:21). great is my distress until. Even though it would mean suffering and death (cf. Luke 13:32–33), Jesus earnestly sought to fulfill the divine plan.
Study Questions:
- Jesus is telling us that fire, division and judgement are coming. Woah! Not very inspiring, is it? But it's true. This is one of the biggest reasons we need to continue studying the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Otherwise, we'll be tempted to seek out only the inspiring, feel-good verses and we will miss out on what Jesus wants to tell us. Are you ever tempted to gravitate towards more inspirational verses for study? What might the dangers of that be?
- The first fire he mentions is fire for himself. Jesus is telling us that he didn't just come for salvation. His coming also means fire and division. Jesus said, "I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead for me, and I will be under a heavy burden until it is accomplished." Jesus left the glory of heaven, took on flesh, humbled himself and suffered greatly, both in his life and death. Jesus wasn't a contentious person. He wasn't argumentative. He was patient and kind. And yet he was the most divisive person in human history. What were (and are) the things that made him so divisive? Who were the people that had the biggest problem with him?
Pray:
- That you would seek the full counsel of God's Word.
- That you would remember all that Jesus suffered for your sake.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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