I am come to send fire on the earth;
and what will I, if it be already
kindled? Luke 12:49
I have heard He was a prophet, a
philosopher, a teacher, a healer, and even a rebel but never a poet. Yet
doesn’t kindled sound more poetic than completed? But that is what He is saying
here. I have this job to do and I wish it were done. He goes on to say that
from then on there would be divisions among the people.
The fire was not yet kindled
because the wood needed wasn’t provided yet. Only a cross used for crucifixion
could kindle the fire of faith. Even the unbelieving, who came to see a heretic
suffer recognized Him as the Son of God: a spark. Other eyewitness accounts
after the resurrection would create more sparks which the disciples would fan
into flame.
Already could not come yet. There was more
teaching to come, healing to bestow and children to laugh with. There’s a lot of talk right now about when
the world will end. It can bring on a why bother attitude. But Jesus bothered.
His time on earth was ending and He bothered to make sure His disciples were
equipped.
Then there was anguish, agony, and
alleluia. In the garden of Gethsemane His anguish soaked the ground in tears
and sweat containing drops of blood. Trying to describe His agony on the cross
would diminish it. Alleluia echoes
through the ages: it’s origins an empty tomb.
I believe that when the resurrected Christ saw His disciples coming to
meet Him at Galilee He could say in His heart of hearts, “It is kindled.”
Our job now is to keep the fire kindled.
Already has not come for us either, not until we are Home in Glory.
Love the phrase "Alleluia echoes through the ages: its origins an empty tomb." Oh, yes! Shout it out!
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