"FIRE THAT PURIFIES"
Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56
In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 12, we hear two very different tones from Jesus in the same chapter. Early in Luke 12, Jesus reassures His followers in the face of life’s dangers:
• “Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more” (v. 4).
• “Do not worry about your life” (v. 22).
• “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (v. 32).
Those words comfort us. They paint a picture of a caring Shepherd, a loving Father who protects His children. But then, by the end of the same chapter, the tone changes. Jesus says: “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! … Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.”
He even warns that His message will divide families—father against son, mother against daughter. Why? Because the Gospel, when it takes root in the heart, disrupts life as it is. It confronts sin, reorders priorities, and forces us to choose where our ultimate loyalty lies.
Faith That Costs Something: Hebrews 11 reminds us of those who paid a price for their faith: the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea by faith; Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, and the prophets—many of whom “faced jeers and flogging, chains and imprisonment” (v. 36).
And Hebrews 12 urges us: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (vv. 1–2).
Jesus is honest—following Him will bring both blessing and conflict. Faith is not a warm blanket we wrap around ourselves for comfort only; it is also a refining fire that burns away impurity.
Why Fire?: In the Bible, fire often represents God’s presence: the burning bush on Mount Horeb when God called Moses, the pillar of fire leading Israel through the wilderness, the tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost.
Fire purifies. Ancient people knew how fire removed impurities from gold and silver. In the same way, God’s fire purges the sin from our hearts, shapes our character, and strengthens our faith.
Sometimes, that fire pushes us into uncomfortable places: at work, where integrity might cost us advancement; in friendships, where conviction might strain relationships; even in our families, where loyalty to Christ may cause division.
A Needed Perspective: When we hear “division,” we might imagine anger, brokenness, or loss. But Jesus isn’t encouraging unnecessary conflict—He’s revealing the reality that truth naturally creates a choice. Light exposes darkness. Holiness confronts sin. God’s truth invites us to live in a way that may not always fit with the values of the world.
It can be tempting to avoid the fire and settle for a “safe” faith, one that doesn’t ruffle any feathers. But Jesus calls us to something deeper. True faith costs something—it may cost comfort, popularity, or approval—but in the end, it gains us something far more valuable: a life aligned with God’s will.
The Silversmith: There’s an old story about a silversmith refining silver. He holds the silver over the hottest part of the flame, never taking his eyes off it. Someone asked him, “How do you know when the silver is pure?” He smiled and said, “When I can see my reflection in it.”
In the same way, God applies the heat of trials, convictions, and even divisions—not to destroy us, but to make us reflect His image more clearly.
Our Encouragement in the Fire: Hebrews says we must run this race with perseverance, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” That means trusting Him when the heat feels too much, believing He is shaping us into His likeness. We are not alone in this race—we are surrounded by the testimony of those who endured before us, a “great cloud of witnesses” cheering us on.
This is why we can face the refining fire with hope. The same God who walks with us in the green pastures also walks with us through the furnace. And in both, His goal is the same: that His image might be seen in us.
The Call for Us: Jesus’ fire is not random destruction—it is holy purification. Yes, it can divide, because truth always draws a line. But it also refines, strengthens, and renews. So let us not shy away from the fire. Let us welcome it as the presence of God. Let us stand with those who endured before us, knowing that the Refiner’s hands are steady and His eyes are fixed on us in love.
And may we be found so refined, so purified, that when the Refiner looks at us, He sees His own reflection. Blessed be God, day by day. Amen.
