THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

37By His coming, Jesus brings purifying fire and division. The purifying power of Jesus—thepower of the Holy Spirit in our lives—could only come after He had accomplished His work on the cross.We must be open to suffering for the sake of our walk with God and for the sake of others.The baptism of Jesus’ suffering immersed Him in agony. Although Jesus did not relish the agony of thecross, He welcomed it, because, like a woman in the late stages of pregnancy looks forward to givingbirth, He knew the good that would come of it—the salvation of mankind.We must be open to conflict in our relationships, including our family. This may be the pricewe have to pay for being a faithful follower of Jesus. When we follow Jesus faithfully, there may beconflict and division for His sake.