Luke 12: 49 Jesus and the Fire of God

Luke 12:49 Jesus and the Fire of God

[49] "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

What is happening in this scripture? – It’s dangerous to take one line out of scripture, because you lose the context. But I did so this time because these words and this imagery are so powerful, and the metaphors and realities are so much a part of our faith as Christians. Jesus is speaking, and as he approaches his final days there is a growing sense of urgency and frustration. He goes on to speak of the baptism he is to offer and the stress he is under until that is completed. We have deified Jesus so much that it is sometimes hard for us to hear his humanity.

In Luke, he speaks here of his mission to bring fire to the earth, yet he points out that fire had not been kindled quite yet: How I wish it were already kindled!

How is this happening in the world today? – What do people like us know about God and about fire? We know that God first appeared to Moses in a burning bush. We remember the pillar of fire leading them by night through the wilderness. We remember Mt. Sinai, Horeb and the volcanic foreboding of God’s majesty. We remember the flames on the lamp stands in the temple. We read of Ezekiel’s fiery chariot. We remember the fiery furnace in Daniel.

Fire brings heat. Fire can cook, destroy, purify, melt, consume and transform. Fire can protect. Fire is life. Fire for many has been death. Fire is energy, and it demands respect and wisdom in its use. In Luke 12, Jesus says I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! What do people like us know of Jesus’ frustration and stress, his eagerness to complete his baptism? What do we know of baptism by fire? How has God’s fire burned us? Cooked us? Transformed us? How does it warm us, give us comfort, give us light? What role do we play in the kindling of this fire? What light do you see in yonder darkness, inviting you to draw nearer? What do you fear from this fire? What part of you do you wish it would burn away, transform?

How is this scripture written for me? -- God your fire is there, the eternal flame. Christ has brought it to earth. Sometimes I warm myself by it, sometimes like a child I want to play in it. Sometimes, Lord, your fire hurts me, burns me. Melt my heart Lord, thaw the icy bonds and cook my soul. How I wish it were already kindled! – Amen.