The Dividing Line

In this text, we see Jesus show his longing for justice to be brought against sin, as He says that He came to cast fire on the earth. It is a hard saying! But He immediately follows it up by saying that He has a baptism that He himself must undergo, referring to the cross! Although judgement is a necessary thing against sin, Jesus immediately points to the mercy we have at the cross where He dies in our place. Those who take hold of that free gift of salvation are protected from the fire of judgement because Jesus took it upon himself.

And that is the offer He gives to the crowds the rest of the passage! He says to read the signs of the Kingdom right in front of them, they are walking with their Maker, their Messiah! But they are walking to eternal death if they don’t turn to Him and repent of their sin. Our time on this earth is short, and we should not presume upon the grace of God for another day - we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Turn to Jesus, receive mercy - because one day we will all die, and then it will be too late. Today is the day of salvation!