CONFLICT AND THE KINGDOM
But the context does, Jesus' references
to the nonreligious style of John and the confrontive, miraculous ministry of
Elijah teach that the kingdom of God makes its penetration by a kind of violent
entry opposing the human status quo. It transcends the "softness"
(v.8) of staid religious formalism and exceeds the pretension of child’s play
(vv. 16, 17). It refuses to "dance to the music" of society’s
expectation that the religious community provide either entertainment ("We
played the flute") or dead traditionalism ("We mourned").
Jesus
defines the "violence" of His kingdom’s expansion by defining the
"sword" and "fire" He has brought as different from the
battle techniques of political or military warfare (compare Matt. 10:34-39 and
Luke 12:49-53 with John 18:36).
The upheaval caused by kingdom of God is not
caused by political provocation or armed advance. It is the result of God’s
order shaking relationships, households, cities, and nations by the entry of
the Holy Spirit’s power working in people. (See also Luke 16:16)
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene
Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre
of
Fine & Performing
Arts
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