(In verse 14 of this chapter the Pharisees sneer at Jesus. It’s not a pretty sight. They’ve got their backs up in opposition to all he teaches, indeed to all he represents. In the following verses (15-18), Jesus gives four responses, one after another, each filling up the space of one verse. Today, we focus on the second of these, the emphasis on the newness of the kingdom of God and how we should respond. Listen in …)
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The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
(verse 16)
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Jesus takes up his favourite preaching theme at this point: the Kingdom of God! Mark tells us in his Gospel that at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry this is the first pronouncement he made: “The time has come … The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”(Mark 1:15).
The very rule of God himself was breaking into the world in the person of Jesus. It’s a powerful reality. Good news, indeed!
On another occasion, when the Pharisees accused him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, Jesus confronted them with the complete illogic of their claim. “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,” he said. And then, bringing the point home, he declared, “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:17, 20).
Wake up, Pharisees! Don’t get your backs up! The kingdom is here! Embrace the good news!
So, on this occasion, Jesus puts the whole flow of revelation history into context. All the Old Testament scriptures – “the Law and the Prophets” – were building up to this very point. God had been revealing his heart to humankind all the way along, preparing them for the stunning, wonderful, amazing, new thing he was going to do. As the writer to the Hebrews says, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The coming of the Son – Jesus – is of course, what John the Baptist was commissioned by God himself to announce. John was “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord!’” The promise was given all the way through those past revelations, those preceding generations, right up until the time of John.
But now, the new thing itself has happened. The kingdom of God has come. It has broken into the world in the person of Jesus. What amazing, good news!
So, the focus has shifted – ever since John proclaimed his message. And the only appropriate response now is to eagerly – indeed forcefully – enter right in. Although Jesus’ statement (“everyone is forcing his way into it!”) has sparked much debate down the years, it seems his basic intent was to urge passionate response. The kingdom is here! Press right in! Don’t hold back! Enter with eager enthusiasm – almost violently.
The Pharisees, on the other hand, listening in, simply stood back sneering (verse 14). They stood on the foundation of the very revelation given in the Law and the Prophets. But they missed seeing the reality. They didn’t budge. They sneered.
Whether we ourselves have previously responded to the message or not, it is possible for passion to become dull. Where are you? Is your response eager, passionate, forceful? Or do you hold back?
See Jesus afresh. Hear his message. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Enter in – forcefully.
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Dear Lord Jesus, I have received your kingdom invitation. I embrace you afresh. Strengthen me with power by your Spirit to continually move forward in your kingdom purposes. May your kingdom come, may your will be done. Amen!
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Reflect:
How would you describe your passion for the kingdom? Sneering … dull … holding back … interested … eager … enthusiastic … forceful? Wherever you are, invite the Spirit of Jesus to warm your heart. Look for ways to express it.
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Photo by Nicholas Green on Unsplash
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