The "fire" in this context is closely related to his previous remarks about the faithfulness required of God's servants, a refining fire, that melts away impurities. Before that process of transformation of God's people can begin, Jesus himself must undergo his own baptism, a time of trial unlike any that other. Once Jesus' mission is accomplished, his people can begin to be made new by the fire that he will send of the Holy Spirit. It is because of that transformation process, a process of leaving behind the old life and adopting new life in Christ, that Jesus' mission of reconciliation actually causes division within the families of those who believe. Why? Because all those who follow Christ walk upon a path that diverges greatly from those who remain on the path of self-destruction, even if it is their own families. Father and son, formerly as close as can be, drift apart as one follows Christ and the other remain enslaved to sin. This same division can occur between spouses, parents and children, siblings, and friends. It is inevitable, to an extent, as long as one follows Jesus and the other remains apart from God's redemption. What then do we do, knowing of the fire and division that Christ has brought? Continue to pray for our Lost loved ones, continue to show them the compassion of Christ, continue to demonstrate to them the righteous living of his disciples, and continue to hope; hope that the same Gospel that saved you and I out of the darkness will one day bring them into the light of the Son as well.
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