Sunday Reflections on The Southerner Newspaper
Sunday, August 17, 2025
(Hebr ews 12:1-4 , Luke 12:49-53, Jeremiah 38:4-6.8-10) ) AMP
I have come to cast fire upon the earth… I have a baptism with which to be baptized… Do you suppose that I have come to give peace upon earth? No, I say to you, but rather division. (Luke 12: 49 – 51)
My dear brethren in Christ, Peace and Love of Christ be with you. Today, Christ through the voice of the Church encourages us to accept the baptism of truth which Christ has come to bring, allow the fire of the baptism to penetrate our souls and purge us, setting us free from every constraint.
There is no doubt that truth comes with a lot of challenges and opposition from even loved ones, accept it, that is the baptism of death that completes the first. Our Lord began this journey and has urged us to follow in His path.
Our reflection today will be split into three parts. The first part will be taken from the Gospel of Luke chapter 12 verse 49 – 51. Christ speaking in a metaphorical manner makes it very clear what His mission is and what it entails; to baptise the world, a baptism that will bring division not as the world views it.
The second part will be taken from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12 verse 52 – 53. Christ makes it clear what follows the baptism He has come to give the world, a baptism of fire (truth ), division and opposition.
The third part is taken from the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 12:1-4. We are being encouraged never to give up living up to the baptism which we receive because we are not alone in it, there are witnesses.
In the first part, we can see Christ saying that it is His mission to come cast fire (truth ) on earth and He wished that it has started burning, consuming the hearts of men. He went further to say that there is a baptism He has to undergo (baptism of Death ) and he is urged on for it be accomplished.
The fire He has come to set on the world surely is not to bring peace but division but not as the world views the word ‘division’. The fire He has come to set the world with is Truth and He awaits His death which is the fulfilment of the first. Christ is Truth Himself (John 14:6) and needs not to be kindled but the source from which others are kindled, He is the source of the Fire.
By His death which is the culmination of His mission is what He awaits, for the beauty of Truth lies in death. It is not a new invention that Truth is bitter as the popular saying goes. For it is an itching to the ears of many.
This is because, many would never want to be told anything contrary to what they hold dear or built their empire. Hence, division sets in.
In the second part, Christ makes it more explicit what we should be expecting when we receive the baptism of Truth which He brings. It will surely turn one against the other even members of the same household.
A world filled with corruption and oppression, people willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top even at the expense of the other, quick – money syndrome and all sorts of vice. Imagine you coming out to tell your parents that oppressing the poor because of their status is not right, what do you think, will be their possible reaction in a realistic world? Imagine telling your supposed bestie that the lifestyle he or she has decided to take on, is not healthy, what do you think, will be her reaction?
A clapping ovation? Oh no! So, that is what happens with Truth, nobody wants to hear it, they are comfortable with what they are doing in so far it puts food on the table, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
Finally, the third part serves as an encouragement to everyone who accepts this baptism of Truth and willing to follow that path to the end -baptism of death.
It’s an encouragement never to give up because of a truth, you are not alone, there are witnesses (those who have passed through the same path) who are watching and cheering you, expecting you never to give up as to enter the joy that follows at the end. Christ began this journey and sets an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21). The joy and fulfillment that follows should be our watchword.
My dear brethren in Christ, this is a call that involves each and every one of us in so far we exist here on earth. Though it is a difficult call but it is not an impossible one.
Truth is something that should unite us and not divide us. Let us live our lives in defence of that which we believe in, the world where fairness and equity strive without fear of any opposition. Just like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10), who will be the voice of the voiceless?
Just as the reggae legend Lucky Dube says in one of his songs, You Stand Alone, “Then I remembered the terrible truth about the truth If you stand for the truth you will always stand alone”.
The path of Truth is not a path of compromise, you are in or out, nothing like half truth or raw Truth though it can be contextual but in ideal, it is what it is. The path of Truth is thorny but just like the rose flower, do not concentrate on the thorns but the beauty of the rose.
You will know the truth and it shall set you free… (John 8:32).
May the Peace and Love of God that surpasses all things rest and abide in your hearts. Amen .
