John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Did Jesus cause a division within the Pharisees? No, there was already division and strife within that sect. It was the actions of Jesus that got them talking about those divisions.

Some will point out the man who Jesus healed. Some will point to the law regarding the Sabbath. Some will even point to Jesus. How many point to the division?

The division is the essence of Christ’s mission on earth. Every point in His ministry seems to center around division.

Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Jude 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Even at the dying moments of the Cross Jesus was between two thieves, only one of whom was promised to be with Him in paradise that day.

But no greater division has there been in His mission that to cause division within us.

Hebrew 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

How can He do that?

He is God. All things are possible with God.