The temptation to save ourselves
Experiencing God's kingdom while power is abused around us.
The first human temptation was about power; Adam and Eve thought they could be like God. Cain killed Abel because sin overpowered him. Even Jesus was tempted to use his power for his own selfish needs, to test God, and to succeed by the world’s ways.
Jesus resisted the devil’s options for power, but most in his day did not.
The Romans sold a propaganda of peace (Pax Romana) military power, economic hegemony, technology, law and order, control and fear. They saw themselves as world saviours. Sound familiar?
The Greeks celebrated the human spirit and mind. They believed that philosophy, whether the Platonic ideals, the Aristotelian empiricism, the Stoic reason and ethics, or the mystery religions’ rituals, would save them. Human education and effort are all they needed. Again, familiar?
In the Jewish world, there were multiple plans for bringing in God’s kingdom. The Pharisees stressed obeying God’s law, purity, tradition and family structures. The Sadducees advocated for true worship, especially in the temple. The revolutionaries drove out the aliens and restored racial purity. The Herodians worked the political system. The Essenes withdrew and awaited the apocalyptic end.
We still see all these options in the Christian world today. In each case, the temptation is especially strong, to let the end justify the means, to think that you can abuse others because your cause is right and just.
Repent
To all this, Jesus preaches, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 4:17). This is not just a call for personal confession and change. Following Jesus changes the way you think about power and how the kingdom comes (repent = “metavoeo” in Greek, meaning to change one’s mindset).
When Pilate directly challenged Jesus’ kingship, Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). Some understand this to mean that God’s kingdom is heaven, another place and time. But I think Jesus is saying that his kingdom is unlike the world’s ways of power, control and violence. God’s kingdom is different.
Experiencing the Kingdom
When we read the gospel, we experience God’s kingdom in a way that changes us. It helps us repent from abuses of power and identify the temptations.
Read the Sermon on the Mount. See the Beatitudes’ help for the humble; the salt and light of hope for the world; Relationships of respect, integrity, reconciliation and mercy; a religion of generosity and trust.
Picture the parables. See God’s generosity in sowing; the conflicted nature of our world; God’s patience; small beginnings with hidden values, yet permeating effects; a storehouse of treasures to share.
See healing, hope for the outsiders and fearful insiders. Hear new priorities and stern warnings. Question leadership. Challenge abuse. Be prepared for God’s surprises of disappointment and victory. Even doubting, follow and worship. Wherever you go in this good and different way, make new kingdom disciples by baptizing and teaching in the King’s power.
Thank you for pointing out that Jesus’ kingdom is different in kind from all schemes of self- or group aggrandizement or even idealistic plans to control things for the better. Or to heal ourselves. I am blessed to often attend attend a congregation that prays the Great Confession every Sunday morning.