Background with the Pharisees and the Lawyers: their reaction to Jesus and now how Jesus sees the road to the cross developing more clearly. He addresses the large crowd after addressing the disciples.

Look at this text within its context, both time wise and in the reactions of the people who are with Jesus at the time:

Unlike many prophecies and the focus of his ministry regarding healing, Jesus points to how God’s yearning for friendship can lead to division. Still speaking to the disciples he focuses on three things:

1. The division that Jesus brings between those who believe and those who do not believe - all part of preparation for the return of Jesus. 
          A. Fire upon the earth – does this relate to John the Baptist and or Pentecost? Or does it relate to the cross and the tribulation he will suffer?
           B. Peace is for those who trust in him.  The peace he brings, is peace with God, not peace where evil people entrench themselves against God.  See the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in verse 10
           C. Division among family members when Jesus came to restore the hearts of the Fathers to their children “He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.”” Malachi 4:6 NASB2020
2. Now Jesus addresses the crowd:
   He addresses understanding natural events, why not see what is happening in front of your eyes? He is speaking of how the religious leaders can sway people from the truth of who God is by their religious hypocrisy 
   They can lead people astray with words, or corruption? (As they will do with the crowds shouting “crucify him”) 
   They will do anything to hide their shame, justify themselves, and persecute the One who dares to defy them. 
3. Indeed, from verse 57, he addresses the crowd with the most amazing personal duty: How to take responsibility for right and wrong.  This is an incredible challenge to a community minded people, that they have to chose what is right and do it.  
    
4. Here is a major choice that they will have to make:  it is a real choice between serving a loving God, or people who order life according to their ways and desires.  To follow the angry ones who justify themselves, or the God who forgives?

This same challenge is still a vital and real challenge today:  who will you serve? Anger, or the freedom of forgiveness.  They do not live together, but separate those who are truly strong in the Spirit from all others!