His rule secures our freedom, and justice, truth, and
love.
Hope, peace, and joy our treasure, God’s love above all
measure,
Hosanna to the Lord, for He fulfills God’s word!
--Mikael Franzen, trans. Philip M. Young
What do you mean?
--Justin Bieber
Not that kind of kingdom. Not that kind of king.
Those who followed Jesus when he walked the paths and
skirted the shores of the Holy Land so long ago got it wrong. They looked for
power (as they understood power), might (mainly
military and political), the overturning of
Roman rule and the restoration of the rightful place of the people of God (top
of the heap). It was the lore on their
lips, the dream in their hearts, the birthright they claimed. Now was the time,
and Jesus was their man/king/savior.
We still get it wrong today. Every time we long for power more than compassion. Every time we
ransom the welfare of ‘the least of these’ for another rung on society’s ladder. Every time we trade the deep
divine undercurrent of joy for the cheap fleeting thrill of victory. Every time
we look to Jesus as a vendor to supply us our momentary desires rather than the
Vine to connect us to the source that is truly Life.
Because Christ’s is not that kind of kingdom. And Jesus is
not that kind of king.
Don’t look for that, here.
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