Unity or division?

 Luke 12:49-53

John 17:21

Here are two verses that seem to contradict each other.  In the first one Jesus says He's come to bring division but in the 2nd one He's praying for unity.  Could this be like the clean up process; it requires a mess before things get better?  In order to raise the standards division is invoked; it's okay to drink, you can't sleep together under my roof, I follow Peter you follow Apollos...yet Jesus's heart's desire, and goal is for us to live in unity like He and His Father.  Lord Jesus, I pray for the broken families in our culture.  I think of Abraham's family and the issues that have risen because of a step brother and then I think of all the folks in our culture who have step siblings.... We live in such a broken and divided world, yet You long for us to live in unity.  Father, please help me to be part of the answer to Your prayer and show me how to enhance unity in my relationships with others.  Amen

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