The kingdom's Gospel and People

January 24, 2011

Read Luke 10:1-16

Luke 10:15
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

There are 2 sides to the gospel that the 70 disciples are supposed to preach in these cities: peace (v.5-9) and warning (v.10-16) with great urgency (v.1-4).

The Jews at Jesus’ time believed that the Roman oppressors would be overthrown at the arrival of the Messiah. Thus, there were many self-proclaimed Messiahs who took up arms and led uprisings to topple the Romans. The Romans’ response was to crush the revolts and crucify the so-called Messiahs on the cross as a public mockery to their efforts and beliefs. It was a display of power through violence.
Jesus warned that unless these culturally and self notions of the Messiah is replaced with that of peace (which is God’s way), Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida would suffered.

A child of peace is one who understands and is upset over the injustice and oppression but will submit to the Jesus’ way because it is the ONLY way. Jesus’ way is not to begat violence with more violence but to counter violence with gospel-proclamation, service and sacrifice, even at the cross.

What does this all mean? It means God’s people should not be indifferent about injustice and oppression. Neither should we be overwhelmed by all that is going on. We hold out Jesus as the solution in confidence; fully convicted that through gospel proclamation, peaceful service and sacrifice, we shall usher in the kingdom of God.