Sunday, October 2, 2016

TAKING IT BY FORCE

CONFLICT AND THE KINGDOM


Jesus asserts the "violence" of the kingdom. The unique grammatical construction of the text does not make clear if the kingdom of God is the victim of violence or it as the kingdom advances in victory, it does so through violent spiritual conflict and warfare. 

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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