Princes and Princesses of Peace

In Luke chapter 12, Jesus presents to the crowd a series of parables about how to live within the reality of the kingdom of God.  Following the parable of the wise manager in which he offers as an explanation regarding how to be ready for his return by knowing and doing the master’s will, we read this perplexing statement:

49 "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, 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 daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

Jesus offers a “no” answer to the question, “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth?” That is not what we would expect from him.  He is the Prince of Peace, and the angels sang “on earth, peace, good will toward men” at his birth. 
            The key, it seems to me, is to keep reading because I think that Jesus gives us some clarification that we really need to understand if we are going to truly take up the roles he desires for us in this age as we await his coming.

 54 He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?

In the context of a world not at peace, but divided because of Jesus’ coming, what does this mean?  As we continue to listen to the complete teaching of Jesus to the crowd, we discover our answer:

 57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."

Apparently “this present time” is a time when we are responsible for creating peace by trying hard at reconciliation.  It is not a time when God is showing up to impose righteousness and make people get along—it is a time of personal responsibility to do the right thing and judge for ourselves what is right.  The Holy Spirit and the Word give us everything we need for that.  Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but when Isaiah prophesied his coming he was clearly speaking of the age yet to come.  We need to interpret rightly this present time and understand that we, as well, are children of the King.  In this present age, it is we who should be princes and princesses of peace.