I have to admit, this is not the Jesus I'm comfortable with. All this talk about bringing fire to the earth and that he can't wait until it's set ablaze. What kind of talk is that? Then there is the part about how households will become divided because of him. For goodness' sake, that's exactly opposite from the kind of community we're trying to build here.
Can you imagine if I announced an adult education program that promised to teach you how to divide your families in five easy sessions? You wouldn't come. And I have no doubt but that the number one item on the vestry's agenda at their next meeting would be to ask the question as to whether or not I've lost my ever-loving mind. Nope, I don't like this passage one bit. Perhaps it's because I can hear an echo of church member against ch…