Today’s passage: Luke 12:49-59
Helpful thoughts:
- The Jews thought the Messiah would come to bring judgment on all the Gentiles. Instead, they were under judgment as well…all who reject Jesus as the Christ are under judgment. But, the final judgment would not come before Jesus Himself was “baptized” with the judgment we deserve!
- 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 – We hear the truth and by God’s grace find it wonderful! Others hear the truth about Christ and find it terrible…these are under judgment.
- See Matthew 12:46-50. The church is our family. When our physical family is also our spiritual family, it is a great blessing. But, even when your physical family shuns you because of your faith, you have an eternal family in the church and you are forever God’s child.
- The Pharisees, scribes and lawyers were “experts” in the Law and the Prophets (Old Testament), but they didn’t know God and they didn’t know God the Son was in their presence or what He had come to do (Isaiah 53!).
- Hebrews 9:27 – And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
Questions to consider:
- How does this passage compare/contrast with John 3:16-18? How did Jesus’ life and death bring life to some and promise judgment to others? Why are some condemned already and others (Believers) promised that there is now no condemnation?
- When you have to choose whether to follow Jesus or follow your earthly family, who do you follow? How does baptism provide the means of displaying the fruit of conversion and allegiance to the King?
- How must the church (Our church) interact with and welcome people in when their earthly family is not in the family of God? Why is it so important for us not to take it for granted when our parents, siblings or children are believers? What kinds of things would make you feel like you were a welcomed member of the family?