U.K. in 2011 A.D.
Luke 12:49-59 ~ Division
49 "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53They 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."
54He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
57"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
57"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
58 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. 59I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."
Bible notes author: Susan Johnson, The Methodist Church in Britain
These verses are part of the teachings of Jesus to the disciples and to the crowds who have followed him. In Luke 10:1-12, 70 were sent out into the towns and villages to let people know that the kingdom of God had come near in the person of Jesus who would show them the way to live. Some of the 70 experienced peace and were welcomed, while others were rejected and had to leave. This leads Jesus to reflect on how his mission, his life and death will bring judgement and division as people are faced with a choice and a challenge about Jesus.
Today, 2,000 years later the question is still before us when we come face to face with Jesus and the influence of his teachings. Am I willing to try and follow his ways or will I follow someone or something else? And then there's the second question; what sort of kingdom, or community, will my actions bring out?
When we look around at communities in England, as we have done so much this summer, we can clearly see the division between those who seek peace and justice by showing love and compassion and those who are intent on destruction and damage. Although it did not receive much media coverage after the recent riots in London and other cities, communities came together, united, to move beyond the destruction and rebuild. Perhaps those people had had a glimpse of the kingdom of God being present in a small way. Many would not call themselves Christian or people of any faith but some would.
The simple fact is that when knowledge of Jesus is there, decisions have to be made every minute of the day as to how we will live. We always have a choice: to do good or to do harm.
To Ponder
When you need to make a decision about the way to behave, what guides you?
'It puzzles me that I am surrounded by people, who in their very humanity, show signs of living the Jesus way but do not know anything about him.' How do you think that can be?
Is division always something to be avoided? Why?
We will look at Unity
2 Kings 2
Living Bible
2 1-2 Now the time came for the Lord to take Elijah to heaven—by means of a whirlwind! Elijah said to Elisha as they left Gilgal, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”
But Elisha replied, “I swear to God that I won’t leave you!”
So they went on together to Bethel. 3 There the young prophets of Bethel Seminary came out to meet them and asked Elisha, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take Elijah away from you today?”
“Quiet!” Elisha snapped. “Of course I know it.”
4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here in Bethel, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”
But Elisha replied again, “I swear to God that I won’t leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho.
5 Then the students at Jericho Seminary came to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take away your master today?”
“Will you please be quiet?” he commanded. “Of course I know it!”
6-7 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan River.”
But Elisha replied as before, “I swear to God that I won’t leave you.”
So they went on together and stood beside the Jordan River as fifty of the young prophets watched from a distance. 8 Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it; and the river divided and they went across on dry ground!
9 When they arrived on the other side Elijah said to Elisha, “What wish shall I grant you before I am taken away?”
And Elisha replied, “Please grant me twice as much prophetic power as you have had.”
10 “You have asked a hard thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”
11 As they were walking along, talking, suddenly a chariot of fire, drawn by horses of fire, appeared and drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariot of Israel and the charioteers!”
As they disappeared from sight he tore his robe. 13-14 Then he picked up Elijah’s cloak and returned to the bank of the Jordan River, and struck the water with it.
“Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he cried out. And the water parted and Elisha went across!
15 When the young prophets of Jericho saw what had happened, they exclaimed, “The spirit of Elijah rests upon Elisha!” And they went to meet him and greeted him respectfully.
16 “Sir,” they said, “just say the word and fifty of our best athletes will search the wilderness for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has left him on some mountain or in some ravine.”
“No,” Elisha said, “don’t bother.”
17 But they kept urging until he was embarrassed and finally said, “All right, go ahead.” Then fifty men searched for three days, but didn’t find him.
18 Elisha was still at Jericho when they returned. “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” he growled.
19 Now a delegation of the city officials of Jericho visited Elisha. “We have a problem,” they told him. “This city is located in beautiful natural surroundings, as you can see; but the water is bad and causes our women to have miscarriages.”
20 “Well,” he said, “bring me a new bowl filled with salt.” So they brought it to him.
21 Then he went out to the city well and threw the salt in and declared, “The Lord has healed these waters. They shall no longer cause death or miscarriage.”
22 And sure enough! The water was purified, just as Elisha had said.
23 From Jericho he went to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a gang of young men from the city began mocking and making fun of him because of his bald head. 24 He turned around and cursed them in the name of the Lord; and two female bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of them. 25 Then he went to Mount Carmel and finally returned to Samaria.
Let's list the concepts of Unity.
Differing Talents and Respect. Age differences and respect. Elijah has the greater gifts of God, but Elisha is hopeful. And honest in his expectations. Trust and admiration. A relationship flourishes in honest boundaries. They expect Peace from one another.
And Mercy. Elisha is asking mercy from his peers.
Elijah wants to spare Elisha. This is a common occurrence in Hospice. Usually, someone passes on privately. The intense desire to spare loved ones' grief. Often seen today.
Diligence to know one is not abandoned. Loyalty.
Today, the news wondered about the speed of Light. And our fastest travel is by fire. God is eager to spend time with Elijah. To give hope of Heaven.
When we wonder about Heaven and we consider all the age groups in Heaven, don't we imagine a beautiful Chariot would be longed for among many in Heaven? How would it keep up with all the new devices longed for in Heaven? In fact, God has upgraded Elijah from the more common wagon conveyance of the 9th Century BC. God of the Abundant Willingness and Feast of Heaven.
Unity in changes. Unity in innovation. Unity in vision.
Etruscan Chariot 6th Century BC
Elijah 9th Century BC
Inclusion of Animals in Heaven. Observation Unity, Hope Unity.
Elisha doesn't have to be supreme, he allows the others to search out and discover. Unity in I'm me, you go and be yourself. Salt is good with flavor.
Unity in community good. Unity in Hope and Prayer. Unity in allowing God's help.
Unity in the understanding only One is Good. Jesus Christ. Hopes in God Himself. Unity in honesty of human nature. Unity in trust of honesty.
Abba, Father God,
God of Encouragement, God of Love.
Help us to seek You first.
Elisha allowed time for His Brothers
to discover what is right.
Just as Jesus did.
Elisha attends to his life and has works of God to be interested in.
He isn't much overly involved with one another.
Elisha expects in God, all things will work together for God
and seeks God's Purpose.
We pray for those we Love
to be filled with the Steadfast Love of Jesus Christ
to dwell in us and open our eyes to more Life.
To find our Blessings and hold on and not forget.
To be polite and insist on Mercy.
For our Republic to have Expectation of Goodness,
Hope and Love.
For God's Good Creation.
For our mutual up building.
God of Encouragement and Love.
We pray for Elliott to be healed.
All families with illnesses to have peace in times of stress.
And for Janet to have healing.
Let all of Creation sing with me now.
Love, Peace and Mercy.
In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
To know the Hills and Highways of Heaven.
His High Ways.
Isaiah 49
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment