Kingdom Principle: Jesus takes priority even over our greatest allegiance, our allegiance to our family. There is a new unifying principle in those who follow Christ and it is the Spirit of God that indwells Jesus’ followers. This creates in us a love that goes beyond even the love we have for family. 

1. Our Greatest ________________________ Have Changed

Luke 12:49–53 (ESV) — 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!

I came to cast fire (Πυρ ἠλθον βαλειν [Pur ēlthon balein]). Suddenly Jesus lets the volcano in his own heart burst forth. The fire was already burning. “Christ came to set the world on fire, and the conflagration [wildfire] had already begun” (Plummer). The very passion in Christ’s heart would set his friends on fire and his foes in opposition as we have just seen (Luke 11:53f.). It is like the saying of Jesus that he came to bring not peace, but a sword, to bring cleavage [separation] among men (Matt. 10:34–36).

The word fire here indicates that Jesus’ advent has brought with it a range of emotions/passions, some are holy, others are wicked.

Titus 2:14 (ESV) — 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 

If you belong to Christ, you will desire to walk with Christ. If the Spirit of Christ lives within you, you will have a passion for holiness. And this serves as our motivation for godliness.

Galatians 5:16–18 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

1. Our Greatest ________________________ Challenged

Luke 12:51–53 (ESV) — 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” 

The Lord is calling us to a higher love. He is calling us to a greater allegiance. One that supersedes family ties and heritage. He is calling us to love Jesus over all things yea, even our families. 

This is not to say that we should not love our families.

A husband or wife might be called to love a significant other who has abandoned Christ or has never loved him in the first place.

1 Corinthians 7:12–14 (ESV) — 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 

A child might be called on to care for a parent, even if they don’t love Christ or never supported your faith.

1 Timothy 5:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 

A parent might be called on to love a child who has abandoned the faith and is not living for Christ. (Luke 15:11-32)

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” 

–William Carry