The Life Of Jesus Christ In Its Historical Connexion

"I am come to send fire upon the earth; and what will I (more), if it be already kindled?" As he had compared the pervading and renewing power of the word of truth to the leaven, so here, as that word sends forth a holy flame which is to seize upon human nature and burn out all its dross and impurity -- inextinguishable until it has enveloped all mankind -- he compares it to a fire kindled by himself, whose unquenchable flames he already sees bursting forth. "What will I more." says he; "the object of my ministry on earth is so far accomplished."

But after speaking thus of what had been already done, he passed on to what remained for the fulfilment of his work, viz., the sufferings that were awaiting him. These he betokens by a baptism which he must undergo; partly, perhaps, in view of the multitude of afflictions that were to overwhelm him, [574] and partly in view of baptism as a religious symbol, and of the baptism of suffering as his last and perfect consecration as Messiah and Redeemer; just as John's baptism was the first and preparatory one. "I have yet a baptism [of suffering] to be baptized with, and how sorely am I pained until it be accomplished." [575]

In this saying, also, Christ contradicted the prevailing idea that the Messiah was to work an outward revolution. The preached word itself was the mighty flame which was to produce such wonderful effects among mankind. He was not to end his labours by coming forward to subdue his foes and glorify his reign by miraculous power; his victory consisted in his being overcome by suffering and death. And he warned his disciples, in addition (v.51, 52), not to imagine that he would leave them to enjoy outward peace; far from it; the truth of God was to be a separating power, to cause the sharpest strifes in nations and in families. The dearest natural ties were to be sundered by his true disciples (v.53), for the sake of the kingdom of God). [576] The higher unity of Christianity was to shape itself out of the midst of discords and contradictions. So clearly had Christ at that time before his eyes the effects subsequently produced every where by Christianity in the life of nations and of families.