Dividing Christ

Jeremiah 23:23-29; Luke 12:49-56; Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Central Baptist Church—Lowesville, VA

19 August 2007

We all know of Jesus’ prayer that believers be united as one. We are painfully aware of division within the ranks of Christianity and the corresponding criticism from the world around us. Why should others come to Christ, when Christians are so divided? Is there any cure for our divisiveness and the petty issues that so divide? Perhaps the only solution to keep from dividing Christ is allowing our hope in Christ to become sufficient, allowing us to lay down our all for God.

Jeremiah was painfully aware of division within the ranks of Judah, specifically between those faithful to Yahweh and those with alternative aims. His was often the lone voice crying out for faith in Yahweh even when it meant accepting the impending exile. “Woe is me!” was a theme of his ministry, as he accepted the impending doom of exile while still maintaining confidence in Yahweh’s provision and care for Judah. “Woe is me!” for the message he had to proclaim was not one the nation desired to hear.

There were many false prophets around proclaiming hope for release from impending exile. They offered words of comfort in the face of the Babylonian threat. Surely, Yahweh is willing to rouse the Egyptians to help us against the foreign invaders! Surely, we just need to sign the right treaty that will give us horses and chariots with which to keep Babylon at bay! These false prophets spoke to the desires of the people to retain the status quo as security. They wanted to hang onto the known, rather than be washed into the unknown. They wanted security and safety. Yahweh desired them to trust amid the unsettled insecurity of exile.

The false prophets’ message was not from God, but from the fears and desires of a nation in turmoil. Was Yahweh so limited that Egyptian horses and chariots would be necessary to defend Judah from Babylon? They did not necessarily intend to speak against the word of Yahweh, but they grossly misrepresented Yahweh’s will and word. Rather than the word of God, they spoke the will of the people, instead. As Jeremiah’s message was not popular, they called him “Ole Doom and Gloom.” It was a nickname to characterize and discredit him. It distinguished Jeremiah from those offering a comforting message that exile could be avoided.

Jeremiah’s message found a clarifying echo in Jesus. “Trust in God’s brand of deliverance, rather than in horses, chariots, and the power of violent resistance.” Judah did not want to hear that Yahweh was sending them to exile. They wanted military victory akin to those under Joshua and David. Jeremiah’s message was the undesired word that alliance with Egypt or other powers would be worthless. It was Yahweh who was sending the people into exile. There was no stopping it. They were rather to accept their failure to honor Yahweh in due diligence and embrace the impending doom. God would still bring about victory, but not one of military might. Yahweh’s would be a wholly different triumph. Who would deem God’s plans and purposes worthy of embracing?

The false prophets around Jeremiah spoke like Peter raising a sword and severing the ear off the high priest’s servant. They wanted Yahweh’s blessing, but did not understand Yahweh’s means. In defense of their desire and dream, however, they ostracized those who disagreed with them. They were seduced by power and material blessing, treating such desires as God’s will. Are we as seduced as Judah by pet issues we tout as God’s will?

The Hebrews marched in faith from Egypt and through the Sea of Reeds. Rahab risked her life in faith to secure a future. Others were tortured to secure resurrection to a better life. They all anticipated a coming fulfillment. They deemed its call worthy of risking their very lives. They placed their lives trustingly in God’s hands. As in Jeremiah’s day, their faith meant taking a stance against that of others. Some risked being shunned, ridiculed, or silenced. Rather than take their cues from society, however, they accepted God’s purposes, plans, and decisions above their own. Will we live according to a faith empowering us to risk all in trust of God’s faithful provision? Will our life stories encourage others to lay their all down for Christ?

Jesus’ words often caught the disciples off guard. His teaching was controversial in extreme, as it did not follow with the accepted religious norms. Who wanted to love their enemies? Who was interested in relinquishing the right to vengeance through legal recourse? Who wanted to hear that they should give up on advance through accepted business practice and seek rather to meet the needs of others on the same level as their own?

Today’s lectionary reading in Luke is perhaps more difficult to digest than others. Even if we do not live according to Jesus’ higher ethic, the Sermon on the Mount stands emblazoned as a great ideal for all to follow. What is this about Jesus being the cause of division, though? Didn’t Jesus pray and work for the unity of his followers? His words here seem at opposed to so much of Jesus’ actions and words! Why would Jesus suddenly be the cause of division he was set against?

We read fire as a symbol of destruction and justice, but Jesus seems to use it as a clarifying fire, proving who will and will not follow Jesus in faithfulness. This is not vindictive punishment, but a test of clarification. His coming passion would serve as a catalyst, pitting human schemes against God’s grace and forcing acceptance or rejection of grace as ultimately sufficient. The violence Jesus suffered on the cross was not of divine origin, but human origin. In accepting human rejection and allowing himself to be nailed to the cross, Jesus simultaneously demonstrated the ultimate degree of divine grace and forgiveness. In offering grace in such a way, however, Jesus called all humanity to decide for or against God’s offer of redemption.

Jesus’ words also clarify that when we divide ourselves over our pet issues, preferences, and ideas, we are opposing submission to the ways and means of Christ Jesus himself. The message of the cross, this baptism of fire Jesus mentions, is a call to submit our lives to the lordship of Christ Jesus. It is not about defining who is worthy to follow in our band. It is not about judging the more worthy or correct among ourselves. It is rather about serving Christ Jesus in wholehearted faithfulness.

Such was Peter’s question. Are you talking about them or us, too? Jesus responded that there was after all only one issue at hand. It is the issue of serving Christ. It is on the level of this issue that our unity of division falls. Will we serve Christ when family oppose our decisions? Ultimately, it is not faithful believers who create division. It is opposition to the means and purposes of God’s grace that bring about conflict. While some give their lives to serve Christ Jesus, others place pet issues above submission to Jesus’ lordship. Are we willing to accept opposition from others and live faithfully? The great cloud of witnesses testified to the sufficiency of God’s purposes. Will we unite around their example of faith, laying aside every other entanglement to be found serving Christ Jesus in the reckless abandonment of faith?

—©2007 Christopher B. Harbin