November 17: THE RADICAL KINGDOM #8

Matthew 10:34-39 is a section from the life of Jesus described as the “hard sayings”; it begins with the statement “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.” Maybe that can help you accept the radical nature of these teachings that form the basis for life in the Kingdom of God. Mere religionist need not apply for citizenship in the Kingdom. Listen to these words from Matthew 5:10-11: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
You must appreciate the sheer honesty of Jesus. He did not come to make life easy but to make people great. He offered no “bargain basement” faith; it would be costly. Following Jesus could cost you your family, your friends, your job, your social club memberships. He said if the world persecutes me, it will persecute you. Luke 6:40 is the guide: “the slave is not above his master.”
Following Jesus in the first century was a matter of life and death. The Roman Emperor demanded to be worshipped as a god, the confession of devotion, “Caesar is Lord!” The followers of Jesus had their own confession, “Christ is Lord”. It cost many their lives and still does around the world. Penalties were and are extreme for Christians. Jesus did not want His followers to be surprised by persecution. As one Historian observed, “those eaten by the lions and thrown in the fire were the lucky ones, at least they died quickly.”
For the faithful believer, persecution is inevitable. The New Testament Church is bound to be the conscience of the nation and the society. Christ needs people who will live for Him more than he needs people who will die for Him. When a Kingdom citizen lives a moral, just, and righteous life he becomes a living judgement on all kinds of sin, without saying a word, and that makes the rejecters of Christ angry. Angry people will use any weapon at hand to get even or get revenge.
Jesus concluded His manifesto by pointing out that there is a long line of persecuted saints stretching across time.

“Dear Jesus, you have thrown down the gauntlet before us each day this week,
give us courage to pick it up and follow you daily until we die. Amen”