Jesus calls us to discipleship and a life of faith. Today, his words seem harsh, but they are honest, lay it on the line words. We are not called to live a sugar coated, comfortable life of faith. We are called to participate in Christ’s mission. And, as God works through us, Christ restructures us; Christ breaks down walls of division; Christ repairs us in order that we might become repairers of a broken world. God takes us into God’s ongoing work of reconciling, binding up, and making whole. And, yes, it is not easy, it is demanding, costly and risky. However, we do not do this alone because it is Christ who is our peace in the depth of the struggle. And, it is Christ who is with us every step of the way.
This is a sermon based on the text from Luke 12:49-56 as presented on August 14, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.