From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. Matthew 11:12 NABRE
Matthew is a Jew writing to Jewish followers of Jesus. He was raised not to use the word “God” as it is a name to sacred to say. When he writes about the kingdom of God, he calls it the kingdom of heaven. Matthew is sharing Jesus’ testimony about John the Baptist. John’s purpose is prepare the way of the coming of the Lord. He is preaching a baptism of repentance, asking people to change and to open their eyes to the Messiah. John points to Jesus and declares He is the greatest, He brings freedom and change is coming in the world. Jesus has come to bring the kingdom of God. But since the time of John the Baptist the kingdom suffers violence, people are against change and bring violence to those who are trying to bring the kingdom of God. Even John himself is murdered for not being quiet when He saw wrong. Others die trying to live in the kingdom, their presence challenging those who see the kingdom of God as threat. See the story of Charles de Foucauld, murdered for trying to live as much like Jesus as possible.
The kingdom of God will not come from violence and power, it will come from kneeling and humility, but there will always be those against it. Their violence can only be overcome by love and humility. Those working to bring the kingdom of God must speak out against what is wrong. The poor and oppressed need a voice and kingdom followers must be that voice. If you see a wrong you must point at it and call it wrong. If you are silent in the face of wrong, violence will come upon the kingdom and it will be forced away until there are those who will use their voice, kneeling in humility.
Do you call wrong, wrong? Are you silent in the presence of oppression or suppression?
If you see a wrong you must point at it and call it wrong. If you are silent in the face of wrong, violence will come upon the kingdom and it will be forced away until there are those who will use their voice, kneeling in humility. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #force #kingdom #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways