The Truth Divides

               In the Gospel of today, Oct. 25, 2012, (Luke 12:49-53),  Jesus said: “I have come for division.”  My first reaction to this statement is that it is a contradiction to what Jesus had been telling.  In Matthew 6:44, He said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  In John 14:27 he said: “Peace I leave with you.  My Peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”   In Isaiah 9:6- we read a prophecy about Jesus Christ: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us…His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  Hence, I wondered on what Jesus Christ really meant when He said: “I have come for division.”

            In the Anawim Way Booklet I found an explanation which says: “The peace Jesus came to give is not that of simply getting along with everyone.  His peace comes with fire.  The truth often divides.  It is not enough to simply tolerate one another in peaceful co-existence.  Jesus came for division that is based on the purity of the truth and love of God.”

    “The Truth Divides!”   In John 14:6 Jesus said: “I am the Way, and the Truth,  and the Life;  no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” During the historical life of Jesus in Israel the Jews were divided on who He was and so they crucified Him.  Today there are those who question His divinity and even make fun of His personality.  However, there are millions from all nations who believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World, the Son of the Living God.  Just last Oct. 21, 2012, a Filipino, Pedro Calungsod, was canonized a Saint for giving up his life for his faith in Christ and died as a martyr. The world today is, indeed, divided on who Jesus is.

            The statement of Christ: “I have come for division”, therefore, refers to Him as the TRUTH which has divided the world into those who believe or do not believe in Him.  This for me must have been what Christ meant when He made that statement.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Oct. 25, 2012