He Came To Set The World On Fire


Jesus’s opening words in Luke 12:49-56 are, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”  Then, he goes on to talk about bringing division amongst us.  Finally, he calls us hypocrites, for not being able to interpret the times.  Is he talking about destruction?  Is he not supposed to be the prince of peace?  It is quite chaotic, don’t you think?

I Came To Set The World On Fire
Pen and Marker Bible Art Journal Illustration
Moo-Mania - Letters and/or Numbers

As I was meditating, researching, and going through the writing process, I kept coming back to the word “fire.”  Fire, as you know, can be very destructive and bring about a lot of grief.  In 2018, California, due to its dry and windy conditions from spring through late autumn, experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfire seasons.  There were a total of 8,527 fires burning an area of 1,893,913 acres, the largest area of burned acreage recorded in California.  On the other hand, natural wild fires caused by lightning play an integral role in nature.  They can burn dead or decaying matter; return otherwise trapped nutrients to the soil; and act as a disinfectant, by removing disease-ridden plants and harmful insects from an ecosystem.  In addition, wildfires thin forest canopies and undergrowth, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and new generation of seedlings to grow.  Some species of trees, like the sequoia, even rely on fire for their seeds to open.

Sympathy Card - May the love & peace of our Lord be with you during your time of grief
Tim Holtz Die, Embossing Folder, & Tiny Attacher; Adirondack Metallic Acrylic Paint Dabber; Martha Stewart Punch & Gemstone; Fiskars Punch; Dymo Labeler; Assorted Papers; and Pen
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - "S" is for... Sympathy Card
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

So, what kind of fire is Jesus referring too?  Is it a destructive type of fire or a restorative type of fire?  As an educator, I believe I can explain which type of fire it is through the retelling of the classic children’s story, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, by the late Maurice Sendak.  The story talks about a young boy named Max, who one evening made mischief of one kind and another.  In desperation, his mother calls him a “Wild Thing.”  Max responds by yelling back, “I’ll eat you up!”  So, his mother sends him to bed without eating supper.  In his bedroom, he is transported into an imaginary world where the wild things are.  The wild things are described as creatures who roar terrible roars, gnash their terrible teeth, roll their terrible eyes, and show their terrible claws.  Max proves himself to be the wildest and is crowned the king of the wild things.  He then leads them into a wild rumpus throughout the forest.  Eventually, he’s tired and sends them off to bed without their supper.  Feeling lonely, Max yearns for that place where someone loves him best of all.  So, he goes back home, leaving the wild things to be wild.  When he’s back in his bedroom, he finds a hot supper waiting for him.

Thank You Tag
Tim Holtz Die & Distress Ink; Fiskars Tag Punch; Ribbon; Calligraphy Marker; and Pen
T Stands for Tuesday - Thanks
What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #534

In my mind, Max represents us.  As humans, we can easily get into trouble due to our many frailties, which take us to Where The Wild Things Are.  For example, most of us enjoy the various social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and blogs.  They can all be a marvelous venue to keep in touch with loved ones, find how-to videos on anything imaginable, and much more.  They can even help spread the Gospel, as I like to do.  However, social media platforms can also bring about division amongst us, like they have in our nation for several years now.  There are a plethora of divisive posts consisting of propaganda, hateful rhetoric, unreliable news sources, and much more.  They come from all directions and it’s extremely difficult to dismiss them.  They have infiltrated everyone’s lives, even if you are not on social media.  The latter puts us in a rumpus with the Wild Things just like Max.

Duncan Park Main Lodge & Bunk Houses
Acrylic, Colored Pencil, & Sharpie on Wood Slice
Paint Party Friday - Week 26 Year 9
Inspire Me Monday - Week #398

So what are we to do?  Perhaps, it’s time to send off negative and divisive media to bed, as Max did with the Wild Things.  We can do this by discerning through all information we encounter.  Bishop Michael Curry’s words, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God,” can help us do that.  This is the only way we will be able to get back to that place where someone loves us best of all, just like Max did.  That place is in Jesus, whose greatest joy is to ensure our salvation.  This is the reason why he died on the cold wooden cross for our sins.  When we're home, just like Max, we'll find that nurturing hot supper, which is representative of the love of Jesus.  Therefore, we don’t need to fear Jesus’s fire, for its healing, restorative, and will allow us to be a reflection of his gracious love.  The fire is represented in Max's story, through his Mother sending him to bed without eating supper, due to his ill behavior.  The Messiah set the world on fire, rejoice in its redeeming power!

DWTX Duncan Park - Ward, Colorado
Nikon D3300 Photograph Edited on Pixelmator
Word Art Wednesday - Weeks #402-#403
Summer Happiness Link Party

Comments

Hello Arnoldo, I enjoyed seeing your beautiful artwork in your journal. The sympathy card has been made so lovingly - it would be most surely a source of comfort. I also loved the Thank You tag - it will be so appreciated by the recipients. Your painting on the wood slice is delightful.
Reading through your post, I felt very much in agreeance with the similies and conclusions you discussed.
Happy PPF :D)
sirkkis said…
I always enjoy to see your gorgeous art especially 'Love and peace' to day, Arnoldo.
Happy PPF and all the best to the weekend xx
Valerie-Jael said…
Beautiful art again, I especially like the lettering this week. Happy PPF, Valerie
Your art and words are wonderful!
Thank you beyond belief for supporting Moo Mania &More!
Happy weekend, Susi xxx
Crafting Queen said…
Lovely all your creations, the painting on the piece of log is beautiful.
Lisca said…
Hi Arnaldo! Long time no see! I was delighted to find your post today. It comes at a perfect time when my husband abd I are embarking on a 21 day Daniel Fast to focus on all things spiritual. My challenge is to minimise the use of my iPad and social media and the gaming world. I want to be able to sing: "It's all about You...Jesus" (Heart of Worship - Matt Redman).
So thank you for reminding me that He came to set the world on fire and teaching me the story of Max.
Bless you brother,
Hugs,
Lisca
Sarah Brennan said…
Beautiful art work again Arnoldo. I love the tag finishing touch to a gift. Happy belated WOYWW. Sarah #7
Christine said…
such beautiful always inspired work Arnoldo!
Hi Arnoldo, I'm realising how much I missed you and I'm so pleased you're around again. Your art work is lovely and the words are so thought provoking no matter what our beliefs may be. Have a lovely creative weekend, Angela xXx
Beautiful artworks! I love the painting on the log most, so gorgeous!
Maria Medeiros said…
I enjoyed reading your post and your artwork. Very meaningful and thought provoking.
Very expressive and thank you. Happy Paint Party Friday!
Linda Kunsman said…
Oh what beautiful, loving artwork. It just shines amongst your thoughtful post. happy PPF!
Sharon Madson said…
Beautiful artwork, especially that gorgeous sympathy card. This was a very thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing. So glad I am getting your posts via email now.
Caty said…
Wonderful card Arnoldo !! Love the beautiful design you have created. Great words. Your painting on the wood is Amazing.
I wish you a very nice weekend, big hugs,
Caty
Shoshi said…
Beautiful combination of words and art again, Arnoldo. I enjoyed reading about the Max story - I'd never heard of that before. Thank you for visiting. The make-up remover pads work a treat - I wash them out immediately after use and then I put them in to wash with the towels. Did the first lot today and they came out spotless! It's nice to think of my grandmother when I use them! They might be large enough to be small coasters, but they are quite thick and squishy so they might not be very suitable.

Unfortunately my benefit claim is far from over. I have to attend the assessment next week, and then it's another waiting game and I shall most likely be turned down, after which I shall have to appeal. These days you have to jump through all their wretched hoops to get anywhere.

Happy belated WOYWW and God bless,
Shoshi #20
Dear Arnoldo,
Running late here as usual.. how I loved this thought provoking post on that verse.. passage of Jesus, in Him are revealed the contradiction of God. Luke 12:49 “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” I mean what a thought provoking verse to begin with.. ioften wonder what it would have been like to hear Jesus preach in the flesh, as Hus euros tumbled about me and I struggle to comprehend the first sentence let alone all the ones that tumble about afterwards... it would’ve been even harder not having the abiding indwelling power of God Spirit within let alone the whole counsel of God in the NT. No wonder the poor disciples were blind and confused... we would have been too, and been warming our hands by the fire and denying with Peter as these confused contradictions rattled around inside.
Fire is a cleansing power as you do rightly point out and this is what Jesus is referring to, may it skyways be present in our lives, may the cure of a His Spirit burn brightly to all around. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the Cambridge Seven? John Pollock write a great book on them, a quite I’ve memirysed is by Cecil Pollhill-Turner: “ Lord make me to be like an inextinguishable firebrand, so that no matter how cold the reception might be, that it might burn on and on”. I’m not sure it’s 100% right but pretty close.. and a good prayer to pray.
And yes all media needs to be viewed through the light of God’s Word... so much hate speech in Oz .. and it’s hate by those opposed to God and His WHOLE gospel ... don’t mind parts ..
.. oh no some ok, but don’t share the whole counsel of God! So sad.
Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too.
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x #4

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Christine said…
Thanks for your visit earlier.
We attended a Fire Conference with Reinhard Bonnke back in 1999 which saw us being sent by the Lord for many years to work in Nigeria, mainly Ibadan. I understood the Fire of the Lord to be His Holy Spirit which, when one is filled with this, fires one up to spread the Word and the Lord's teachings. Your take on this is thought provoking..... thank you.
Love the cabin in the woods coin.
Rosie said…
Wonderful artwork

Thank you for joining us at MOO MANIA & MORE
Create With Joy said…
Powerful art today Arnoldo - have a blessed week!
I love how you use the word art, Arnoldo. I pray that the Lord will set my heart afire, and that my light will shine before men. May His holy, precious name always be lifted high. Thanks for sharing how the LORD is using His word to bless and enrichen your daily walk with Him. And...thanks for sharing with us at Word Art Wednesday.
Blessings,
Karen