The Offensive, Wonderful, and Undeserved

Luke 12:49-13:9 - Riley Boggs

Recently on a famous podcast a man made a profound theological point that he had no clue he was making. He’s not a believer. He doesn’t know the Lord. And yet, he hit on something very profound. He was commenting on his recent struggles, saying that he knows that there is something about him that is broken, even admitting that he has been praying to God about his struggles. He was talking about these things, and he said this. “If there’s a part of me that doesn’t even want the best for me, then there’s something inside of me that is off…I’m starting to just feel something different. I was looking on this Bible and there’s a story called John 5 and it’s about a guy who’s at these pools, and some people follow the Bible, some people don’t. That’s fine. This is just a story that I’m reciting here. And Jesus is at the pools and it’s in Bethesda and there’s a sick man there and he’s been sick for a long time. And Jesus asks him, do you want to be healed? He asks him, do you want to be healed?”

And that’s a crazy question because, you know, if I get healed, then I’m different. You know, if somebody gets healed, they have a new story. So that’s just been something that I’ve been having to ask myself. It’s like, do I want to be healed? Do I really want something different? And sometimes a lot of the answer is no, I don’t. I want something different, but I don’t want to. I don’t know if I’m scared. I don’t know what I am. I don’t know if I don’t want do what it takes to get out. I can’t even tell what it is. And it’s hard for me. This, some of this stuff’s a little bit hard for me to say. I don’t even know why. But, I think I want a new story… I’m ready for a new story. And the scary part is I like who will I be if I let go of these things that I’ve always done and known, some of these behaviors, if I even can let go of some of them. And I know I’m not going to get anything right or whatever. It’s just like, I don’t know, man. I don’t even know what I’m saying.”

This whole talk really struck me because I don’t know if I have ever heard a lost person talk so clearly about their sinful condition and their need for saving, while at the same time missing all the key components of the Gospel. He knows that he is broken. So broken he’s not even sure he wants to be healed. He knows in order to be healed he must seek God, and that in doing so his entire life will be changed. It won’t just affect some of his life, but his entire story. And he knows that with that will come required obedience, a change of pursuit. And the whole time he is talking through all of this, you can tell he is incredibly broken. He just seems sad and lost. I hope that there is someone in his life who can and will share the gospel with him, because he so desperately needs to hear it.

But this gentleman is no different than every other person in this world. Every person in this world has this same issue. They are broken. They have a heart and a mind that is corrupted by sin. This was all of us before Christ saved us. We had hearts and minds that didn’t seek Jesus, but sought after sin and the things of this world. But then Jesus came into our lives, saved us from our sin, and began to restore our hearts and minds. He gives us His Spirit so that we might battle against the sinful temptations of our hearts and minds. He gives us hope and peace and joy that would never, could never, come apart from Him. Our stories have hope because the Author wrote it into the pages of our lives.

And this hope that we have is not exclusive to just us, but to all who believe. It’s the hope of the whole world. It’s the hope for this gentleman in this podcast. It’s the hope for your son or daughter. It’s the hope for your neighbor. It’s the hope for the uncontacted tribe in the middle of the Amazon. For all people, everywhere, the hope is the same. Jesus Christ died and rose again so that whosoever would believe in Him would be saved. To all people, because of this message, there is hope.

But this message, what we call The Gospel, is not in the air that we breath. You can’t find it written in the clouds or floating in the ocean. The message of Jesus Christ exists in the Scriptures we hold  and the words that we speak. And what that means is that the responsibility to proclaim the hope found in Jesus falls to us. Without the sharing of the Gospel by us and the teaching of God’s Word by His people, hope will not be known. Jesus commissioned us, His church, for this very task. That’s what we are supposed to do. We are to go out and explain to others the reason for the hope that is within us.

In our story this morning Jesus gives us several things we are to remember as we take on this endeavor. As we make much of Christ to a lost and dying world, there are things that you are going to encounter that you should be prepared for. There are things you are going to need to call to mind when you become disheartened or confused. Jesus, through His Word, is preparing us for some of these things.

Last week we looked at verses 35-48. We talked about how we must live as if Jesus could return at any given moment, because He could. This week there is certainly some carry over of that theme. There is a sense or feeling of urgency throughout this passage. The things that Jesus is teaching are not mere suggestions. They are truths that we must begin to implement and remember now, as we live on mission for a Lord who could return at any moment.

So, with all of that said, let’s begin to look at our passage. Jesus starts in verse 49 and says, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!” What Jesus is saying here, I think, is that He has come to Earth for a specific purpose. Though Jesus’ has begun His ministry and has healed and cleansed and all of that, that is not ultimate the reason that He came. Jesus ultimately came to bring salvation to a dying world and to bring judgment, in part, on those who deny Him. So what Jesus is saying is He came to do these things, and He has a desire for them to take place.

You can see Him say this specifically in verse 50. He says, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” Now at first reading one might assume that Jesus is simply speaking of His past baptism, where John the Baptist had baptized Him in water. But we know that isn’t the correct reading because Jesus says that this baptism is coming in the future. He does not say I have been baptized, but rather “I have a baptism to be baptized with…” So, what is He talking about here? We have no record of Jesus being baptized by water again. What Jesus is referring to here is His baptism into the Earth and back out. That is, He is referring to His death, burial, and resurrection. He is going to be taken under and brought back out. And what Jesus is saying here is that He desires for that day to come. He desires the reason for which He came to be fulfilled.

But that’s not all He said was it? No, then in verses 51-53 He says that this action, this reason He has come, means something. He says that this death, burial, and resurrection will not bring peace on earth, but division. He says that even families will be divided against one another because of this. Fathers against sons, mothers against daughters, and all the rest.

Now when we read that, I think a good question for us to ask is, why? Why would Jesus’ bringing salvation to the world bring division instead of peace on this Earth? Isn’t salvation a good thing? Who doesn’t want to be saved? The point that I think we are to see here is this…

1.) People love their sin and will be offended by the message of Jesus

Not all people are like the man in the podcast I mentioned earlier. He seemed sympathetic towards the Gospel, towards the message of Jesus. He seemed to know his need for it and maybe even be open to it. And yet, as warm as he might seem, he still used one phrase that is key. He said that when he considers whether or not he even wants to be healed, a lot of times the answer is no.

Well what I think he is hitting on without realizing it is just how in love with sin us humans really are. Often times we want to downplay this. We want to think of people are mostly good and mostly kind. We like to think that outside of a few evil outliers, the majority of people are pretty okay and just a bit confused. Now there might be some good underlying motives there. It’s good to see all people are worthy of love and respect because they are in made in the image of God. We know that we do not wage war against flesh and blood, and so we do not say that all people are our enemies, and we have to conquer them with the Gospel or something like that.

But, at the same time, I think we have to be careful here. We have to be careful remember that the problem that humanity has is not a problem with being momentarily nice or momentarily kind. That’s not our issue. Our issue is that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that we are depraved by nature. We are sinful, through and through, and apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ, we will remain that way.

Now, this might seem a bit extreme because many of you know really nice unbelievers. You know hard-working, sacrificial, and kind people who have never stepped foot within a church. And it’s hard for you to reconcile this idea where they are actually totally depraved and sinful through and through. It seems from the outside at least that they are a good person, and you don’t really see the evil that lies within.

Well, I have a way for you to see it. Call that person to repentance. Tell them the truth of the Gospel. Tell them that they have sinned against a Holy God and that they must place their faith in Jesus Christ in order to be saved from the punishment their sins deserve. Tell them that they must obey all that Christ has commanded and totally reshape their desires.

I promise, as you begin to tell them this, you will see their pride begin to grow and grow. They will dismiss it at first and then begin to tell you all the good things they have done. They will tell you that they don’t need it, they are good. They will tell you all of this. And if you begin to press more and more, slowly but surely, you will see the Gospel become incredibly offensive to them. Because to them, what you are telling them, is that there is something wrong with them. Something they cannot fix on their own. They don’t see their sin as sin. And if you were to press even more, soon enough, you might just lose a friend.

The Gospel can be very offensive to people because people love their sin. For the person who lives in clear and obvious sin, this is easier to see. If you tell people at pride parade that they need to turn from their sins, you will see just how much the Gospel offends. You will be scoffed at and ridiculed immediately. But for the average person, the nice coworker or friendly neighbor, the offensiveness of the Gospel isn’t as clearly seen.

The reason that I don’t think we often see it in these circumstances is because we don’t actually share the Gospel with them. Our relationship with them is too good and they seem too nice to call them to repentance and tell them the message of Christ. And because we neglect to share it with them, we never see the offense taken.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is abundantly clear here. The message of Jesus Christ will bring division, because it is offensive to a world that loves their sin. Even the relationships you hold most dear in your life can be subjected to this. Families turning on one another over one issue, Jesus. Some of you have experienced this. Some of you hope you don’t experience it. Some of you have neglected to really share the Gospel because you don’t want to experience. No matter the case, take comfort in knowing that it is worth it. And the reason that it is worth it, is this, our second point…

2.) We tell everyone the message of Jesus so that they might be reconciled to God

Sometimes we can be tempted to think that we share the Gospel with people because we want their lives to become better. In one sense, that is true. In Christ there is hope and joy and peace that cannot be found anywhere else. In another sense, however, following Jesus makes this life harder. In a world that loves sin and pursues sin, followers of Jesus have to continually be at war with their own sin and temptations. And not only that, but just because someone follows Jesus doesn’t mean they are exempt from the pains and struggles of this world. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. The most devoted Christ follower can still get sick, be impoverished, and all the rest.

The reason that we share the Gospel with people is not so that they have a better life here and now, though we hope that is the case. The reason that we share the Gospel is so that people have a better life to come. Or really, so that they might have life at all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what reconciles sinful people to a Holy God. Without faith in the Risen Lord, there is an uncrossable, unbridgeable, gap. And because of that, there is no forgiveness for sins and there is no eternal life. There is only sin, death, and punishment of sin. The reason we tell the message of Jesus Christ is because of this.

  And as I mentioned earlier, this is not known by people just because they exist. They have to be told it. You can see this in verses 54-56. Jesus points out that these people can look at the skies and determine that rain is coming. They can feel the wind and determine that heat is coming. And yet, Jesus the Messiah is standing before them, and they cannot determine what God is doing. They are blind to it. They are unable to interpret what is going on. But, if they were able to interpret what is happening, what would they see? They would see of course that they need to be reconciled to God. They need to be saved from their sins and follow Jesus. And yet, they persist in their unbelief, denying the inevitable.

Jesus continues in verses 57-59 making this same point. He asks them what they would do if they were guilty of something and the one who was accusing them was taking them before a judge. He tells them that they would try to reconcile before they ever got to the judge, because they know that once they get there, they will be unable to escape punishment.

If you had siblings growing up, I’m sure this same thing played out. You and your siblings are playing, and you do something you know you shouldn’t do. Maybe you call your sibling a name or treat them unfairly, and so they say, “I’m going to tell mom!” Immediately, what do you do? You try to reconcile before they get to mom. You plead and beg and offer all of these things. Why? Because you know that once they get to momma, it’s over. No more amends, you are going to be in trouble.

Well that’s the point Jesus is making. Right now sinners must be reconciled to God because there is coming a day when it’ll be too late. Right now there is a way to be forgiven. Right now there is a path for redemption. By trusting in Christ for salvation, you can be reconciled. And yet, as Jesus points out, there are many who live as if now isn’t the time. They deny the signs around them, and they are like those who are waiting to be brought before the judge, knowing they are guilty. This is why we tell the message of Jesus urgently, because we know that we are on our way to stand before the judge and we want there to be reconciliation for them while there is still time.

Jesus keeps on this same theme in verses 1-5 of chapter 13. He mentions a story where Pilate mixed the blood of some Galileans with the sacrifices. This story isn’t found in Scripture and so we don’t know the purpose of this, but that doesn’t affect the point that Jesus is making. Jesus asks them a question about the people who were involved in this. He asks them whether or not those who suffered in this way were worse sinners than others? He tells them that no, they weren’t. Then, he asks whether or not those who were killed by a falling tower were worse sinners than everyone else? Again, the answer is no.

What Jesus is saying here is that those who have been subjected to suffering and death were not worse than anyone else. They experienced these things because this world is broken and sinful, not as a result of judgment for anything they have done. And the point that He is making is what He says in verses 3 and 5. “…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” In other words, this same fate will come to everyone.

There is a similar comment that is made after nearly every major tragedy. There will be a devasting tornado or fire or flood. It will destroy homes and take lives. And the news reporters will show up and interview people as they stand in front of what remains, and they will begin to ask them questions. And almost always, something to the effect of this will be said. “You know, you see this stuff in this news and you just never think it’s going to happen to you, and then it does.”

Jesus is reminding us of this very thing. It may not seem like your time is almost up, but it could be. And even if it isn’t soon, it is sure. This is true of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. And this is why we must go out and tell the story of Jesus, so that people might be reconciled to God before it is too late. We go out and urge people to run to shelter far before the storm that is death is on the horizon. We go now, knowing that one day, it will come for us all. But thanks be to God, there is a sure hope found in Jesus.

In the final section of our passage Jesus tells us parable. It’s been a minute since I read it, so let me read it for us again. Look starting in verse 6. Jesus says, “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

The point that I think Jesus is making here is this…

3.) Jesus is patient and merciful, but He will not bypass justice

There are few helpful things to note in this parable. First, a fig tree that has been planted in a vineyard and has been there for 3 years should be bearing fruit. A vineyard is fertile ground and 3 years is enough time to become established and begin to bear fruit. Second, if the tree isn’t bearing fruit, despite these things, then it’s seems right to conclude it will never bear fruit. This situation can’t get much better, and yet, it’s fruitless. Third, if all of that is true, then it is sensible to chop down the tree. It is reasonable to be done with it, to stop expecting the miraculous, and end it.

The fruitless tree in this example are the unbelieving Israelites. These people, God’s chosen people throughout the Old Testament, were in fertile ground. They had seen God work in amazing ways. They have heard the prophecies of a coming Messiah. They have now seen Jesus Himself perform miracles. They were established, they were in the right place, and yet, despite all of this, they were unrepentant. They were fruitless. And it would be totally just for God to be done with them in this situation. He could have seen their continuous unbelief and decided, no more. He could have wiped them off the face of the Earth and given them the justice they deserve.

And yet, because Jesus is so patient and merciful, He is like the vinedresser in the parable. He says, “No, don’t cut it down just yet. Let me continue to fertilize it a bit longer. Give it a little more time, one more year, and see if it bears fruit. If it doesn’t, then we shall cut it down.” Jesus is being incredibly patient and merciful towards the unbelieving Israelites here. But His patience is not forever. There will be day when patience turns to justice, and on that day, He will not bypass it.

But see this story isn’t just about the unbelieving Israelites. It’s about us. It’s about everyone. All of us deserve judgment for what we have done. All of have sinned against a Holy God and that is enough to deserve judgement. And yet, Jesus has been so gracious to those of who have been saved. He gave us something we never deserved, salvation. He gave us life. He gave us the fruit of repentance.

And for those who haven’t repented of their sins, Jesus is still being so patient and merciful. Despite their fruitlessness, He withholds judgement. Despite all evidence pointing towards unbelief, He waits. If that’s you, if you haven’t turned to Christ, then you need to hear this. And also this is the message we need to be sharing with the world.

Right now, the only reason judgment hasn’t come is because of the patience and mercy and Jesus. It’s not because the circumstances aren’t right. It’s not because more things need to be fulfilled. It’s not because of any of that. The reason that judgment hasn’t come, the reason that all those who don’t believe haven’t been chopped down, is because Jesus is so incredibly kind. There is no other reason. Jesus desires that all would turn to Him in repentance. He is the vinedresser who has said “one more year”. But no one should hear that and think that this means more time is guaranteed, because it isn’t. Not a moment is guaranteed. Not a moment is owed. That is why now, right now, is the time of salvation. Right now is the time for repentance.

When Jesus comes, He will not overlook justice. That is, He will not say, “You know what, I’ll give you one more chance to believe, now that you see me.” He will not say, “Well, you didn’t believe in Me, but you were a nice guy.” He will not decide to just pardon everyone because He is moved by compassion. No, on that day Jesus will enact justice. He has to. Do to otherwise would be to be unjust, and our Lord and Savior cannot do that. He is far too good and far too righteous.

Two things as we close. First, let this be the message we first believe ourselves. If you haven’t, place your faith in Jesus Christ so that you might be reconciled to God. Not this evening, not tomorrow, but now. We are not promised another breath, so now is the time for salvation.

Second, let this be the message we proclaim to the world. We must boldly proclaim the Gospel to a dying world that needs it. In times it will bring peace, in times it will bring division, but in all times we must continue to proclaim it. Proclaim it to the whole world, because everyone must be reconciled to God. And let us proclaim it with urgency, remembering that Jesus is coming soon.