Let this not be misunderstood, the violence with which the kingdom is assailed is that of the “hungry” being “satisfied” (Matt 5:6).
Those starving for something more, thirsting for life and purpose, to be accepted by God, the Father, their Maker… These Galileans were not ignorant of the promises of God and the coming kingdom (though many of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law alluded to such). These folks had heard the prophecies, been taught the lessons, and looked and prayed for the Messiah to come just like any good Jew of the time.
They had been told though, whether explicitly or implicitly, by others or, having been treated as such, and perhaps even repeated these abuses in their own hearts and minds telling themselves that “God can’t possibly love ‘me’”, that the kingdom could not be inherited by the likes of them. They wanted to know God, to be recipients of the promise, they were hungering for the kingdom, they were thirsting for righteousness. There was a reason they went to John to hear him and be baptized (as cited by Jesus - Matt 11:7-8) and longed to know and be known by God.
Nathaniel is proof (John 1:43-50)… They had gotten glimpses, small tastes of God’s glorious intentions and had heard that AS paupers, they could never attain the kingdom and God’s love. (ironically - Matt 5:3)
Now hearing about, seeing and hearing, experiencing God’s love through Jesus these people…
as Jews, as people (even gentiles), God’s promises were theirs, too. As Jesus spoke, to them, in their towns (not (yet) in Judea, Jerusalem, in the Temple, but in their towns and villages, their home) He was speaking to them, not at them; He was touching them, not shooing them; He, this Jesus, the Messiah(?!), was one of them, not lording over them… but, among them, being with them. This was outrageous, unimaginable, this could not be true…
“...from the John the Baptist until now…” The violent shaking of the hearts of these towns’ folks must have been incredible, astonishing, bewildering, undoing... So, this violent “taking” of the Kingdom is not an assault or a selfish grab, but an explosive release of everything penned up in the heart of the desperate and dying at their release from the bondage of fear and hopelessness of being lost, discarded, and now received, accepted, into the sure hope of the Kingdom’s King’s love and kindly welcome – by the very One that would release them.
In this Man, in this moment, in this place, among these people, the many heavenly metaphors are realized – in this coming of the Messiah:
the kingdom initiated and inaugurated, the redeemed purchased, the adoption completed, the living temple built, the bride is born, the relationship is established (Groom and bride), the bride adorned… looking forward then to the Groom’s passionate embrace and the ushering in of the new earth, the new City, and the feast of celebration
All of this would be so in the hearts of those who heard and believed this, him, as trueand real, even if told it could not be theirs - but now, in this Jesus, IT IS! It is, by faith, their’s, and yes, ours!
Swinging wide open the doors of the kingdom…
This is not a ransacking of the Kingdom, but the long-awaited consummation of the invitation… and invitation accepted and received! (Matt 22:1-14)
The invitation is to all who would receive what God, in Christ Jesus, offers - Peace with God;
Forgiveness of sin; Eternal life - Jesus’ life now in them/us; Acceptance by their/our Father; Adoption as children; Co-heirs with Jesus, our savior, brother, King
OR - REST! Rest from our work, the work of trying… to prove, to earn, to be… acceptable
Isaiah 40 - and who is this God in whom we rest and are refreshed?
· 40:1-5 God’s loving compassion, comfort and care
· 40:6-26 God’s being able and, despite His utter grandeur, desire to love and bless mankind
· 40:27-31 God is able, willing and He is for us! “Wait in the Lord” - trust, stretch, then the tension of enduring, waiting, to be strong - endure, remain - to look eagerly - to collect and be collected, bound together, patiently tarry
Job 7:17 “What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him…”
Psalm 8:4 “...what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?”
Psalm 144:3 “O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him?”
Jesus… the Father’s love, mercy, grace, and wonderful purpose – expressed by His Word, the Son - John 1; Hebrews 1
