“Judge Wisely!”
Jason Stephens
49 “I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how it consumes me until it is finished! 51 Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three.
53 They will be divided, father against son,
son against father,
mother against daughter,
daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law,
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does. 55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?
57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge, the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”
Luke 12:49-50
- Jesus came to bring division (51-53)
- Jesus brings peace to His followers but divides those who reject Him
- Application: Honor Jesus above relationships—stay faithful despite opposition
- Jesus Came for Your Decision (54-59)
- Judgment is coming—discern the times and act now
- Application: Examine your heart and seek forgiveness today
- Conclusion
- Jesus took God’s judgment for us so we could be saved
- Judge Wisely—align with Christ now before it’s too late