17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. - Matthew 4:17-23
Despite my best effort to wake from this terrible nightmare, Trump America is here and with it the installation of a "leader" who lacks any measure of remorse or compassion. And yet I am resolved to not let the approaching darkness extinguish my fire for reaching the forgotten and rejected, nor permit it to dim the glow of my hope for everlasting peace and widespread reconciliation. For no matter how the events of history unfold, Matthew 4 tells me that the kingdom of heaven draws closer with each passing day.
By referencing this scripture I do not mean to imply that the current administration will bring about the apocalypse. Rather, I find Matthew 4 both a support and a guide for all believers in times when the kingdom of heaven seems to be slipping away or in moments when we're unsure of how to respond to those we do not understand. With the help of Matthew 4 we can see the years ahead not as the end of the world, but as ushering in a new era of reconciliation and healing.
Like the brothers Jesus came upon in Matthew 4, brothers and sisters in Christ become useful in service to the kingdom when engaged in common purpose. Regardless of blood or creed, I firmly believe that God designed an inherent impulse in all men and women to work together. And yet Matthew 4 reveals that committing to such important work is not easy. For such an effort demands sacrifice and trust of all who undertake it. For one pair of brothers it meant leaving behind their father, but for all the brothers it involved fully trusting in Jesus.
So what exactly is the nature of this important work that Jesus calls his Church to continue? Well it is clear that the rest of the world continues to engage in escalating acts of hate and intensifying incidents of isolation. However, Matthew 4 concludes with the understanding that the Church should be about the Kingdom work of teaching those who don't know, preaching to those who are not saved, and heal those who are not well. If we put our energy and effort into any enterprise other than the work of the kingdom, then we will have exhausted ourselves with nothing to show for our effort.
Now the work of kingdom may not grab headlines or make the evening news, but it is still worthy of our time and sweat. For I can't think of a better way to turn back the tide of hate than to bring one into the knowledge of God's love for the first time. I can't conceive of any greater means of defeating the powers of fear than to preach the hope cemented in Christ crucified. Nor do I know of any grander approach to eradicating the ills of partisan allegiances than healing EVERY disease and sickness.
Despite maddening delays and heart breaking setbacks, those dedicated to work of the kingdom do not labor in vain. For each soul saved and every relationship reconciled brings more of the Kingdom into its fullness. Yet several times in a given week I find myself asking God, "What are you waiting for?" "How much more tragedy must we witness before you decide to come back?" In moments of quiet contemplation I hear Jesus reply, "the kingdom of heaven has come near," and a peaceful excitement comes over me knowing that the wait is almost over.
CJE