VIOLENCE and the KINGDOM

Matthew 11:12-15

Violence is the trademark of today. Governments are overthrown by it. Terrorist groups use it to achieve their ends. In his final letter to Timothy, Paul warns that, “...in the last days perilous times shall come.” Those times are upon us now. Looking back over his life Paul remembered the persecution and affliction which came to him at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, but noted that “out of them all the Lord delivered me.” We live in a violent age. We are warned that, “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13

The principal message of Matthew's gospel is Jesus the King, and what He said about the Kingdom. This passage is a difficult section, but it would be inexcusable to overlook it. These verses are strategic. What does it mean, “the violent take it by force.”

In comparing various translations, beginning with the King James Version, I was impressed with the fact that the action is on the part of man, and the kingdom is on the receiving end of violence. In the NIV the action is on the part of the kingdom (which) “has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

The Amplified version states, “...the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize] – a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.” Is it really that great? You bet. Are we really “pressing to get in?” Not really. Indeed one tele-evangelist asked viewers to send him 8 million dollars so he wouldn't have to go there!

The best insight here is to compare scripture with scripture; Matthew's account with Luke's, (16:16). “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Again the Amplified: “...and everyone strives violently to go in – would force his [own way, rather than God's] way into it.”

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed and therefore were the guide until an unorthodox, roughhewn wilderness preacher came along warning men to “repent.” The positive aspect of John's message was, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Since mankind is by nature sinful, it follows that the kingdom will suffer violence as wicked men try to break it up.

It seems to me that our Lord Jesus is saying, “only the man who is desperately in earnest, only the man in whom the violence of devotion matches and defeats the violence of persecution will in the end enter into it.”

Oh, dear Lord – please make me that kind of man.