Take a stand

 

오늘의 묵상 (눅12:49~53)

 

 

49. 내가 불을 땅에 던지러 왔노니 이 불이 이미 붙었으면 내가 무엇을 원하리요

 

50. 나는 받을 세례가 있으니 그 이루기까지 나의 답답함이 어떠하겠느냐

 

51. 내가 세상에 화평을 주려고 온 줄로 아느냐 내가 너희에게 이르노니 아니라 도리어 분쟁케 하려 함이로라

 

52. 이후부터 한 집에 다섯 사람이 있어 분쟁하되 셋이 둘과, 둘이 셋과 하리니

 

53. 아비가 아들과, 아들이 아비와, 어미가 딸과, 딸이 어미와, 시어미가 며느리와, 며느리가 시어미와 분쟁하리라 하시니라

 

 

 

 

TAKE A STAND

 

 

have come to bring . . . fire . . . division. (Luke 12:49, 51)

 

 

“ADOLF HITLER WAS CHANCELLOR of Germany, and he had methodically unleashed the Nazi war machine on neighboring nations. The fearsome blitzkrieg had already begun smashing everything in its path. France was next. Forced to surrender, the country gave way to being governed by another nation—subjected to new laws, foreign values, forced labor, and fear.

 

“In the hardest of times, under severe persecution, and endurance of losing their beloved country, three distinct groups emerged among the French people: the collaborators who gave in to the invaders, the neutrals who were neither for nor against the enemy, and the resistance who committed to victory, and they were willing to stand for it.” (Quoted and paraphrased from the sermon “A Call to Join the Resistance” by John Vermilya.)

 

With desperation, Jesus was emphasizing the urgency of taking a stand—calling for all-out commitment. True discipleship costs and does not happen without sacrifice. Jesus gave His life for us, and to be His follower requires all of who we are for His gospel's sake. There is a daily cross to bear, and His Kingdom must be our first priority. Commitment cannot be measured—true commitment is wholehearted.

 

—Jeanette Vermilya

 

 

It has been said, “If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.”