Finding the Gospel

Tomorrow in Luke 12:49-53, we encounter a gospel lesson without any apparent gospel.  Jesus says, “I bring fire…I have a baptism to undergo…I am in distress…I do not bring peace…I bring judgment.”  Needing to follow St. Paul’s advice “to preach the word in season and out of season” and to preach both Law (this is what you have done) and Gospel (This is what God has done) the preacher goes in search of some good news (gospel).

Here is an outline for finding the Gospel.

Fire

The Fire of God’s wrath judgment against sin (missing God’s target for our lives). God redirect’s his wrath to Jesus, His Son, who bears it to the cross. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit sparked a wildfire of the Gospel which engulfed the world.

Baptism

His ministry was completed in his baptism of blood on the cross when the soldier pierced his side and blood and water flowed out.

We are united with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection when we are plunged into the waters of baptism. (Rom. 6:1-4)

Peace and Division

Jesus brings peace on earth and heaven as announced at his birth and proclaimed at his entry into Jerusalem.

Jesus brings division when as Simeon said, “He is appointed for the rising and falling of many.”  One’s trust or lack of trust in Jesus and his salvation is the dividing fact in the world.  Not politics, nor social issues nor what church one belongs to.

Garth Brooke’s song is a good commentary on the text.

            Standing outside the fire

            Standing outside the fire

            Life is not tried it is survived

If you are standing outside the fire.