The Kingdom of God has come near (Luke 10:1-20)
What fascinates me about Jesus’ instructions to his 70 soon-to-be evangelists isn’t the lack of preparation, or the instruction to stay at someone’s house without calling ahead first–maybe stuff like that wasn’t so unusual in the 1st Century. It’s the message that intrigues: “The Kingdom of God has come near.”
What if I preached that, simply that–would anybody get it? Did it mean anything back then, or was it just intriguing enough to serve as an introduction to further conversation? Presumably they did have more to say–after all, they also did have to tell people that Jesus was on his way–but there’s not a lot of persuasion to be done. Give the message, if it’s accepted; stick around, if not, move on. No arguing.
How did they do that? There’s a real miracle! To get up the nerve to tell people what you believe, and yet still leave room for that audience to make up their own minds–who does that? If I’m right (and when it comes to my beliefs, of course I am), then how can I leave you in the wrong? And I’m not the only one who can’t resist an argument–just take a quick glance at any religious posting and you will find the arguments. Liberals coming back again and again to argue on conservative sites, and visa versa, of course, we have to be right.
But Jesus sends his 70 out not to argue, but to prepare. Offer the message, give them the opportunity to hear, tell what you know, and let it go. Just speak of what you know of God’s Kingdom and let other people discover for themselves.
So for now I am intrigued with the possibility of silence, of not arguing. Just testify to what we know, and let it go. Here’s an invitation. That’s all. It’s easier said than done, because it’s so frustrating when not everyone sees things my way, but it might be a good place to begin. After all, this is actually the strategy Jesus recommends.
So how about it–what do you know of the Gospel? No arguments, just experience. What is holy in your life? How has the Kingdom of God come near?
One Response
The kingdom of God has come near! So close I can reach out and feel the presence! The only thing my family has been able to count on is God. He shows us daily He is Near. Through many people we can see the work of the Spirit of God.
Mother Meg and George and Sue Stockton come to mind especially. Trinity and its members, were there for my family when we needed help, not small stuff, but big stuff.
The Cross is HEAVY but the Father sends help.
When the enemy attacks, the scripture is prevalent, “No weapon forged against us shalt prosper”.
I thank God for there are truly more with us than are in the world.
God is watching us walk on water as He holds out His hand!
Praise God and Thank you Trinity Church.