Light It Up

Luke 12:49-56

In case I've never mentioned it I have the most caring, loving, conscientious step-son in the world. Okay, I might be biased, but I'll stick to my claim forever.

He knows I work late on Wednesdays and he also knows my wife doesn't really like to be home by herself at night. In his caring way he makes it a point to visit his mom for dinner every Wednesday. They sit, talk, and eat together until I get home. He usually stays until the late night news is over then goes home.

On one of those nights I had come home earlier than usual and was able to share in part of their night. They had already eaten dinner so I sat at the table and ate my wife's amazing meatloaf while they watched TV and talked. When I was done eating and cleaning my dishes I sat with them and he asked me what I wanted to watch. I told him whatever they wanted to watch was fine with me.

We ended up watching a reality show which highlighted survivalists hiking through the mountains. On the show the groups are divided by skills. There are the hunters, the guides, and the shelter-makers. Each group has their own instructions and the others depend on their decisions and skills. The task for that particular night was to cross a ravine, find a pre-determined sheltered spot, and catch and cook dinner. My guess is that's pretty much how every show goes.

The survivalists each have the same things on them: a knife and water container. This made it interesting when it became time to light a fire. The fire was necessary for important reasons; to cook, for heat, and for light to name a few. The fire-lighters didn't have a flint, or stone and metal, or any other trick known to start a fire. All they had were were 2 sticks and slightly wet kindling.

They took quite a long time to get the fire started which got them worried as they knew without the fire they wouldn't eat that night, or worse they might freeze. Through the magic of television editing we also got a glimpse of the hunters trying to catch fresh-water eels to eat. As they were catching their food comments such as "I hope the fire is lit when we get back because I'm cold and hungry" were made.

It was obvious that without the fire it was going to be a miserable night.

In this passage from Luke, Jesus makes the comment that he wishes the fire he came to spread was already lit. Jesus recognizes that his work on earth is difficult and if just a little bit of God's love existed his work would be that much easier. Unfortunately he came into a time when the world in which he lived was very divided.

The people of Jerusalem had forgotten God's commandment to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Instead of sharing God's unconditional love he found Pharisees who condemned, tax collectors filled with greed, priests hungry for power, and a general feeling of oppression at some level by everyone else.

Jesus Christ came to this world to spread a fire of passion for God, instead he spent his ministry gathering wet kindle and doing his best to light a fire with nothing but 2 sticks. At the end of his earthly ministry that fire Jesus tried to light exploded at the foot of his cross. In the years that followed that fire grew larger and stronger until, some would say, it grew out of control.

We are living again in a time of division, greed, and love of power. The fire-light of Jesus is slowly dwindling to embers. Do not let it go out and instead fan the flames and help that fire grow bright and strong once again. Be the kindle God needs in this world, others are counting on you.