Reflecting on Luke 10:1-9
"The kingdom of God has come near to you." (Luke 10:9)Have you ever said this: ‘the kingdom of God has come near to you’?
What would it look like for the kingdom of God to come near?
These seventy two disciples were not Jesus, and He is the kingdom of God.
Jesus had not yet come; these disciples were sent there first (10:1).
I see the kingdom of God as this world under God-like human rule.
Jesus is the perfect embodiment of this God-like character and rule.
He is training His workers to live and lead like Him, in a God-like way.
What does it look like when humans lead in a God-like way?
According to this passage they come in humility and weakness.
Not with armies, not with soldiers, but like lambs among wolves.
Not with demands and laws, but with peace and compassion.
When Jesus followers come in this way, God’s kingdom has come near.
God’s Law is love for God and people.
God’s character of love is described by Moses:
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” (Exodus 34:6-7)
Paul describes the nature of love (that is, God’s character) as well:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
This is how Jesus commissions His seventy two disciples.
This is how God’s kingdom comes near to these towns and villages.
So where do we see this humble gracious peace and compassion happening?
In the parents loving and raising their children sacrificially.
In the teachers investing themselves for the benefit of the students.
In the spouse bringing out the best in their partner.
In the neighbour helping the wounded enemy they meet on the road.
In the friends working together to help someone move.
In the employee praying for their difficult employer.
In the employer giving time off to a struggling empoyee.
In the worker working with the homeless and marginalized.
In the person going the extra mile, or sharing what they have with others.
In the people organizing a relief or charity fundraiser to help others.
In the community that rallies around the family that lost everything in a fire.
In a non-profit providing safe space for the abused or trafficked.
I could go on, but you get the point – this is God’s kingdom coming near!
When love, kindness, compassion and mercy is shown to those near and far.
Jesus tells His disciples that when His followers do this, He is there!
“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'” (Matthew 25:44-45)
Jesus is with us in those places of suffering, struggle and misery.
He identifies with the weak and humble, and sends us to do the same.
Like lambs among wolves, we become like the Lam of God.
We join with Jesus in taking away the sin of the world – through love.
If Christians focused on this way of kingdom living, our world would change.
Our calling is not to fight, condemn, organize or defend against.
Our purpose is not to take over control of the towns and villages.
Our mission is not to win, but to love… for love wins.
We follow our king eternal in His kingdom mission:
Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud clashing or roll of stirring drums
with deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.
We do not simply wait and pray for God’s kingdom to come.
Nor do we forcefully establish and maintain it with worldly power and politics.
We seek first the kingdom by pursuing His righteousness – which is love.
We pray for God’s kingdom to come near by doing His will where we are.
If we pray the Lord’s Prayer, for the kingdom to come here as in heaven…
Then start bringing that kingdom near in the way Jesus called us.
With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes!
In our world of greed, cruelty, violence and misery, I find comfort in this.
Everywhere I go I encounter people desperate for love and compassion.
They need the Jesus kind of hope and help, not sermons and judgments.
They need Jesus in their life so that He can graciously help, heal and change them.
This message is also challenging, because I do not like feeling or being weak.
The last thing I want to do is be like a sheep among wolves.
Yet Jesus is calling and compelling me to trust in the power of God-like love.
The cross is NOT weak, it is the only true way to life, and to live!
The world is ready to experience this self-giving love; the harvest is ready!
The only thing needed is the workers willing to join with Jesus in His Way.
God’s kingdom is near; it is among those who are all around us.
It is in us, the grace and goodness of Jesus shown to us.
It is shown through us, the grace and goodness of Jesus shared by us.
With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your way of establishing God's kingdom seems weak and foolish. In a world of power and violence, we would be vulnerable like lambs among wolves. Help us to trust Your way, that the way of the cross (humble, gracious servant love) is the way to the crown. I want to join with You in overcoming evil with goodness!