Home Wrecker

June 16

(Luke 12:52-53 NIV) “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. {53} They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

(Mark 3:20-21 NIV) “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. {21} When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind.””

(Matthew 12:46-49 NIV) ““While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. {47} Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." {48} He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" {49} Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.””

(John 7:43 NIV) “Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.”

Jesus is a home wrecker. Loving Him can cause significant family issues. This is probably the most painful division that happens when one follows the Lord. Many Christians have experienced the disapproval of family members because of your faith. Jesus, the great peacemaker, told His disciples that following Him would cause division. This division would begin in families and ripple out into their culture. Jesus made no apologies for this -- He simply stated it as a fact. When we come to Christ, we change families. We get new brothers and sisters, and we are called to new loyalties. Spiritual relationships will begin to supersede family traditions. Biological families will not always be happy about this. We will be chastised and told not to take our religion so seriously. We will be pressured to change our minds and come to our senses. Jesus divides families. If your Jesus doesn’t, He is probably not the Jesus of the Bible. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day