A Hard Side of the Good News
Rev. Erik Swanson
August 17, 2025
Can I be honest and admit that I really don’t like this passage from Luke 12: 49-56 — at least at first glance? It feels so contrary to the Jesus I know, the one who is the Prince of Peace, the Beloved, the One whose way heals and unites. At face value, it seems divisive and unsettling. But as I often encourage others, I tried to listen more deeply, to wrestle with it rather than reject it. And in that wrestling, especially in light of the times we live in, I began to see something important here.
Jesus and His Calling
The Bible is a spiritual teaching, not always to be taken literally. When I read this passage with spiritual vision, I hear Jesus reminding us of his calling: to proclaim hope, peace, compassion, and justice — to love God and neighbor — no matter the cost. He knew this calling would draw opposition. His followers needed to know that push back was inevitable. In his own time, the early Christians were persecuted by both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire. And today, I see the same reality: living by Jesus’ values will put us at odds with the world’s systems.
Spirituality Brings Confrontation
This is why spirituality, though rooted in love, also brings confrontation. When I hear political leaders quoting Jesus while justifying cruel policies, I know my values are in conflict with theirs. This is the kind of division Jesus names: families and communities split apart because of deep differences in values. Many of us have felt this, whether through political arguments, painful conversations about racism, sexism, or homophobia, or the realization that loved ones stand on the other side of justice. It’s hard, but it’s also exactly what Jesus warns us about. His teachings are radical, unsettling, and disruptive. If they don’t disturb us, perhaps we’re not hearing them clearly enough.
Read the Signs
As a preacher, I believe the gospel should challenge us to wake up — to see good and evil within ourselves and in the world around us — and then act in ways the Spirit calls us. That’s why Jesus’ reminder to “read the signs” matters so much. We are quick to notice signs in nature, but do we see the signs of what is happening in our culture and politics? The rise of Christian nationalism, ICE raids, gerrymandering, militarized policing, fenced-in schools — these are signs. But beyond politics, they are signs of a spiritual struggle. The real question is: how is the Spirit calling us to respond?
As a church, I think we are learning to read these signs more faithfully. In our justice work, in worship, in our discernment as leaders, we are striving to speak out for what is right. Even our capital campaign is part of this: the signs of our facility needing attention remind us of our call to be a faithful, contemplative presence here in Saratoga, embodying Christ’s way for the community around us.
What is God’s Call to You?
So the question becomes personal: what is God’s call to you amid division and confrontation? History shows how often religion has been twisted toward violence and bigotry. My prayer is that we would stand firm and kind, courageous and wise, holding fast to the way of Jesus. It won’t always be easy. But it is the way of love, and it is what the Spirit is calling us to today. Amen.