Jesus begins this final section of this chapter that the reason he came was to cast fire on the earth. Jesus has come to bring judgment, not comfort and ease. The fire Jesus was bringing the consuming, purifying fire of God’s judgment. In fact, Jesus was going to endure his own fiery trial with his impending death on the cross. The baptism Jesus speaks of is his own suffering that he will endure. The thesis establishes in this paragraph is that he is going to endure suffering himself. Difficulties, suffering, and judgment are also coming because that is what it means to be follower of Jesus.
To read more of this lesson click here.
