The Festival of the Reformation (Observed) 2017

Jesus tells us that “the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence.”  Just a few chapters from now in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus will give the reassurance that the gates of hell cannot prevail over the Church.  Even though “the kingdom ours remaineth,” it doesn’t mean it’s going to be a smooth ride.  What does it mean that the Kingdom suffers violence?  Certainly it means that we have enemies from without, people who cannot stand that the Kingdom exists, that we as congregations exist.  They want any semblance of Christianity wiped out.  That is violence against the Kingdom.  But the type of violence Jesus discusses is doctrinal violence.  The days ushered in by John the Baptist were the days of the public ministry of Jesus.  He was the voice crying in the wilderness, the one making ready the way.  But there were many who rejected Jesus.  They knew who He was.  There was no question in the minds of the Pharisees and the rest of the Jewish establishment.  They know John is the last of the prophets.  They know Jesus is the promised Messiah, the one who fulfills every prophecy spoken in the Old Testament.  But they will not believe.  The truth is plainly spoken to them, but they reject it and then try to destroy the Christ.  The Kingdom of Heaven suffers this violence of false doctrine.

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