Scripture Readings: Luke 12:49–56 & Hebrews 11:29-31, 12:1-2
In Luke 12:49–56, Jesus tells us His coming will bring fire. He speaks not of a destructive fire, but of a refining one – burning away what is impure and awakening what is holy and life-giving. Like a silversmith heating silver until the dross rises, God’s fire makes us more beautiful and valuable. It is the passion of divine love, consuming injustice, hypocrisy, and all that harms us.
The division Jesus brings is not combative but the natural result when light confronts darkness and truth challenges falsehood. Sometimes following God’s way means walking a different path from the world or those we love, and that can feel like division. But the division is temporary; God’s goal is reconciliation. The cross looked like separation yet became the bridge to eternal unity with God.
Jesus’ words ignite faith, strengthen discipleship, and clarify our calling. Jesus came to set a fire on the earth, not to destroy, but to awaken and purify. He longs for it to burn brightly, for it is the flame of God’s love that changes everything.
The road may be hard, and His fire may bring division, but it is meant to set us free to live in God’s truth. Just as people read the weather to prepare for a storm, Jesus urgently calls us to read the signs of God’s movement and respond. This is a loving wake-up call. May we discern the spiritual signs of our time and join in God’s work with open hearts.
May we not fear when the fragile shell of false peace is broken. To live in the love and justice the Lord desires is to pursue true peace, even if the path passes through division rather than clinging to an empty calm. Like a mother bird protecting her chicks in a cliffside storm, may we know the deep peace of the Lord’s embrace in this stormy world.(a picture)
When His light pierces the darkness, His love unmasks selfishness, and His justice heals creation’s wounds, we can keep running the race of faith, holding fast to the hope of restoration in Christ, even in the midst of division.
Life is not a quick sprint but a long-distance race, filled with twists, steep climbs, and moments when our strength falters. Many today run after success, comfort, or security, but Hebrews reminds of us a far greater race of faith, calling for perseverance, discipline, and unwavering focus.
In Hebrews 11:29-31, by faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea, trusting the God who makes a way where there is no way. By faith, Joshua’s army marched around Jericho, armed only with obedience and praise, and saw the walls fall. By faith, Rahab welcomed the spies and gave shelter to them and found her place in God’s salvation story. Her name was included with the family tree of Jesus. None of these victories came by human strength; they came by God’s action in response to trust.
This faith finds its fullness in Jesus, who crossed the sea of death and rose to life, opening the way into God’s kingdom. By faith, we trust Him to bring down the walls of sin and fear, and welcome us, not for our perfection, but because we have put our trust in Him. The same God who acted at the Red Sea, at Jericho, and in Rahab’s home acted decisively at the cross and the empty tomb. By faith, we receive His victory and walk in the new life He has made possible.
As seen in Hebrew 12:1-2, these heroes form a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding us, urging us to run with the same trust in God. Yet we know that in this race, sin and distractions can cling to us like heavy weights, slowing our pace and clouding our vision. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, who ran the race perfectly and endured the cross and now reigns in glory, we find strength to cast off what hinders us.
In those times, the faith community faced severe persecution, yet God’s words brought them encouragement. The use of “we” and “us” in the text reminds us that the journey of faith is not a solitary race, but a shared path of togetherness. May we run this race side by side, encouraging one another, lifting each other when the road grows steep, and rejoicing together as we glimpse the finish line ahead.
The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint, calling for perseverance, focus, and hope. Hebrews calls us to live in such a way that our lives produce lasting fruit of faith and righteousness. It urges us to keep running with eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, even when the road is hard. Luke reminds us that this fruit will require courage and may lead to conflict with the world’s values.
Jesus sets the fiery course; it’s not always peaceful, but it’s purposeful. Today’s texts show us how to run: inspired by witnesses, stripped of sin, eyes on Christ, enduring to the end. In a world that can distract, discourage, and divide, Jesus invites us to keep our eyes on Him and keep running the race in faith. Now is the time to decide, not later. Let the light of Jesus’ love guide us, let the fire of Jesus’ Spirit give us courage, and run our race with eyes fixed on Jesus for the joy and victory that are ahead.
Friends in Christ, the race of faith is not won by speed, but by steadfastness. It is not about being the fastest – it’s about being faithful. It is not a competition against others, but a journey of obedience with Christ. Are we fixing our eyes on Jesus and running to Jesus who stands at the finish line? When we run, Jesus is running beside us every step.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus keeps us from losing heart when trials come, when the path feels lonely, or when opposition arises because of our faith. The heroes of Hebrews 11 ran their race with courage, not because it was easy, but because their eyes were set on God’s promise.
So let us run our race faithfully, joyfully, and courageously. Let us strip away whatever slows us down: sin, fear, complacency, the need for human approval. Let us discern the times, embrace Christ’s refining fire, and press on toward the joy set before us. And when we finally cross the finish line, may we hear the words we have been longing for: “Well done, faithful servant.” Until then, may we keep our eyes on Jesus and keep running.
God is not looking for the winner of this race but wants to run alongside all the participants. Even if it has become difficult to run physically, the ‘race of faith’ before God is a blessed run in which everyone can participate. Even when our bodies can no longer keep pace, our race remains a blessed course in which every person is invited, and all can finish in His grace.
May we keep our eyes on Jesus even when the path is tough, and when the cost feels high. His joy is ahead, His strength is with us, and His love will carry us home. So let us run with hope, run with courage, and run until the very end for the finish line is glory, and the One waiting there is the Saviour who loves us.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)