As part of an answer that Jesus made to Peter, he said in Luke 12: 49, “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” What was it the Jesus was trying to explain to Peter? What was it that Jesus felt within himself; the emotions that were stirred up in their discussion?
Jesus did not make a wish as a child would say I wish upon a star. He did, on the other hand, express a desire that what laid ahead of him would quickly come to fruition knowing the basis had already begun.
Our Lord was fully aware that the cross before him would be in a matter of days. He came from heaven for that very purpose. Then later he expressed concern for his disciples, knowing what lay ahead for them. The future did not hold kind things for any of them! Hardship, trial, persecutions, death was their destiny.
His expression about fire and later about division among people was both his purpose, his intention. The very fact that he entered into the human race, lived a holy life, then was murdered on the cross was a kind of fire levied on him. Those who were his true followers would experience the same kind of fire.
These few words that Jesus spoke give us an insight into his emotional state. He dreaded yet anticipated because this was his purpose. It is likely that he had much turmoil within himself as well as concern for his disciples. By the very fact that he came to earth was the fuse that lit a fire of God’s intervention into humankind’s history.
In essence, Jesus was saying I bring with me a fire that will consume my body, of fire that will turn the world upside down. He noted that being with his disciples the fire had already begun. It was a spark that soon would burst into full flame from the hatred of religious leaders who fear that if Jesus was successful, they would lose their jobs in the hierarchy of positions held so dearly.
Look to see how the stage was set between God and evil represented by Christ, represented by the unfaithful theologians of his time. A war was in process. Jesus looked forward to conquering death by his resurrection. He was concerned that his disciples be fully aware of the road that lay ahead of them.
Lives of Jesus and his followers were tenuous. Surely as a firefighter faced a raging firestorm in the forest, so what had begun was by the heat he generated against all kinds of evil; against Satan himself! Jesus knew that he would experience a horrible set of pain on the cross but looked forward to it for our sake. He was willing to take the punishment on himself because of divine love that should have been ours.
Jesus said in this verse that the match had been struck. The flames were smoldering. The blaze was soon coming. His presence struck the match. His death put it out for himself. However, the fire would continue on throughout history against his true believers, martyrs in the faith. He said much was ahead, much would be accomplished.
Christian Writer 