Good Judgment

Luke 12:49-56

Pentecost 10, August 17, 2025

Holy Trinity Cathedral

“Good Judgement”

What Jesus is saying sounds like judgement.  “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled…Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12:49, 51).  But if you think this is going to be a fire and brimstone sermon about who deserves to burn in hell and who is on the bad side of God’s law, you are going to be sorely disappointed.  Wrong Sunday.  Wrong church.  Jesus is giving his disciples a wake-up call about the consequences of following him.  This way of life will not be easy.  But it will be right.

My granny always used to say there were three ways of doing things.  You could do something fast.  You could do something easy.  Or you could do something right.  At best, you might accomplish two out of three.  Jesus and his followers are heading to Jerusalem in his mission to proclaim the good news of the kingdom.  The closer he gets to the centre of religious and political authority, the more he is stirring things up.  He’s spent the last three years preaching and teaching and healing and community building.  But he didn’t come to build consensus.  And he didn’t come to be nice. He warns that those who are willing to face earthly power structures and systems will meet with opposition.  Those who try to speak the truth even in their families will encounter prejudice, ignorance, and fear.  How the divisions that disciples will encounter are faced will be a test of their faith in a righteous God.  It would be so much easier if one could stay quiet and maintain the harmony of the status quo.  That, however, would be hypocritical. 

Disciples are called to speak up for righteousness.  To be baptised into the body of Christ is the first step on a lifelong journey of choices for or against the kingdom.  To live without coming into conflict is not peace: it is avoidance of things that are important for the kingdom of God.  Shalom is more than an absence of war where we make our home.  Rather it is about working forward for the wellbeing of all.  Pointing this out to those who would rather maintain their own status and resources brings clashes to the surface. 

This is not about sitting in judgement over others.  That really would be hypocritical- accusing others but not being to see our own failings as individuals or members of a group.  But when there are signs that all is not well, we are to respond.  This takes courage and humility.  Divisions are to be faced.  Sometimes they can be overcome.  Sometimes they remain, but when dialogue is attempted in love rather than condemnation, your own authenticity remains. 

Being faithful in the midst of life’s challenges is not easy.  And although some things can move quickly in our lives, there may not be sudden healing.  There is, however, encouragement that those who choose to walk with love and integrity will find help.  God knows the difficulties you are facing right now.  God understands the pain and grief which other people who are close to you have brought to your heart.  Maybe there is someone that you have argued bitterly with, that you are estranged from, or that you miss dearly in absence.  This bitter state of affairs is not the divine will.  It comes about because people are imperfect and choose without seeing all that is there.  We make mistakes and say hurtful things and misunderstand each other based on prejudice and assumptions.  We move to judgement much more readily than mercy. 

Jesus uses the image of fire to illustrate the times that are upon us.  Fire can be destructive, to wipe out what is wrong.  It can also purify and empower.  Remember that fire is a sign of God’s Holy Spirit, come amongst the disciples at Pentecost to fill them with the ability to overcome the divisions of language and race.  When our faith brings us into conflict with others, can we pray for God’s Holy Spirit to give us the right words and actions?  In facing the conflict surrounding him, Jesus did not resort to condemning his attackers.  Instead, he offered love without compromising himself.  In his good judgement, he embraced a wider vision of family.  To the leaders of the world, he issues a challenge: read the signs.  God is coming to judge the world.  We can accept divine mercy or not, but don’t expect to have the final say about who God includes.  We just may be wrong.  Amen.