As I was reflecting on the passage, I realize what Jesus said was in Luke 12:51, "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."
Jesus divides because He is the truth and the world is not. Idol worship is what God abhors and the world would worship idols. Paul and other apostles command the people in Ephesus not to worship man-made idols and many people had been turned away from idol worshipping but following Jesus. The number of the convert must be a great enough for the silver smith to worry about his business and caused the riot in the city.
This true event that took a place in the history about 2000 years ago is happening right now in many countries. The very same situation is happening in India, Vietnam, North Korea, and so forth. Christians are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ who proclaims The Truth and The Way.
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2 comments:
thank you kwijung for a great reflection today. this passage reminded me of the tremendous power that idols hold over our lives. once the idols are "discredited" by the truth of Jesus, how violently and destructively people will fight in order to hold on to them--with their very lives! you are so right to point out that there is persecution of christians all over the world--mainly because the gospel of Jesus threatens the very existence of the idol. one must figuratively "die" in order for the other to live.
Ladies, thanks for your insights. You've provided a perspective I was not able to find on my own and helped me realize how this passage can be relative to my life right now.
God bless,
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