All of the challenging words and images in the Sunday gospel (Luke 12:48-53) are with a purpose in mind: Jesus’ ministry necessarily demanded a definitive decision on the part of his would-be followers. Their yes had to be yes; their no had to be no. Christianity precludes indecision as well as compromise. Surrendering to compromise and infidelity was the error made by so many of the Old Testament communities – even when confronted by their prophets. When the prophet dared to confront them, they turned on the prophet, denounced him and often tried to kill him. Surrendering to lukewarmness in their discipleship was also the mistake made by the church in Laodicea; a community that some described as a perfect model of inoffensive Christianity. Therefore, they were told that God would spew them out as one would spew out bitter, tepid water.