Conflict and Sacrifice

In the Book of Micah, the prophet Micah spoke of a coming time of strife for friends and family: "Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard and there is no cluster of grapes to eat, no early fig that I crave. The godly person has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among people. They all lie in wait for blood. They hunt one another with a net. Both hands are skilled at evil. Both the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When one person of power utters their evil desire, all the powerful conspire together. Even the best of them is like a bush of briers and the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come. Now is the time of their confusion. Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal your lips from the one who lies in your arms. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."

Jesus continued to instruct His apostles: "I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!"

Jesus reminded them of the words of Micah. "Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. For I have come to turn, ‘a son against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me."

See Micah 7:1-6; Matthew 10:34-38; Luke 12:49-53

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