And "Kingdom" still exists. In companies that choose profits over people every time. In churches that "revere the big Bible on the table but ignore the broken woman in the pew" and in Christians who "polish the brass cross but push aside the confused teenager." (derived from a quote from Rev. Bill Beatty.) Kingdom lives in governments that could end the world with a push of a button, in politicians that disregard human life in any of it's many forms, and in citizens who value their founding documents over the words of Jesus.
Systems that give intrinsic value to people based on their birth right and not on their potential.
White is better than black ... Kingdom.
American is better than Chinese ... Kingdom.
Straight is better than gay ... Kingdom.
Male is better than female ... Kingdom.
Rich is better than poor ... Kingdom.
It surrounds and envelopes us. It overwhelms us and pre-conditions our theology, politics, and thoughts.
I believe that Christians should stand firmly opposed to Kingdom.
There are a few moments in history, as recorded in the Bible, when God looks down on the people and in this God-only mix of frustration, sympathy, love, and anger God says, "You're doing it wrong. Start over, and try it my way this time."
As the people tore their garments and rolled in ash to show their sorrow, God said, "
"Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:12-13
And as the people fast to show their religiousity, they question God for not doing as they command. The people show up to talk to God with earplugs firmly in place.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:3-10
I have to believe that these words are more than just words. I have to believe that these are actual directives about the way in which we should conduct our lives.
to loose the chains of injustice...
to share your food with the hungry...
to provide shelter to the poor wanderer...
I have to believe that these are real things - things that I should be doing and things that I should be teaching others to do as well.
These actions destroy Kingdom...
And pave the way for the Kingdom of God.
And as I look at the words, actions, and life of Jesus of Nazareth and compare them to the current actions of His church; I really can't imagine him giving any other message.
"You're doing it wrong. Start over, and try it my way this time."
