The Kingdom is Not by Force

Daily Scripture Threshing for Sunday, December 12, 2021

Today’s Text: Matthew 11:11–17

Key Verse: Matthew 11:12 (ESV): “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Sincerely: if verbal abuse is violence; then the different levels of verbal abuse done against this scripture is enough violence against God’s kingdom already. The season of Christmas is here on us when the theme of Christ as the Prince of Peace and whose kingdom brings peace on earth are explored. Yet many among us still promote violence as intended by Christ as a means of taking the kingdom He achieved and offered by His sacrifice on the cross. We need a deep meditation on exactly what Jesus meant by the kingdom suffers violence, and, we need to know who it is that takes it by force.

Our first clue to gaining clarity on this text is Christ’s original word, biazitai, which is a third person present passive indicative singular form of biazo, meaning “to presently and continually make suffer violent attack.” So, our two necessary questions are: Who is that person tagged “violent,” and how does he "make the kingdom suffer violence"? First, there is no way to make the word translated "violent" or “violence“ positive. It will always carry a negative connotation, and can neither describe a positive action, nor be recommended by a positive person. Jesus was positive till the end. He was badly bruised but uttered no violence. A bruised reed He did not break, and the smoking flax He did not quench.

So, His words must refer to a figure and all his arsenals who forcefully oppose the kingdom from the day John the Baptist was seized, jailed, beheaded, and his head put on a platter by Herod Antipas. This was a major action of the enemy to "lay hold of," attack, or prevent the kingdom with malicious intent. So, dear Christian, this text does not describe you. You are not Antipas, any of the Jewish leaders, terrorists, or satanic envoys who opposed Jesus' ministry to forcefully prevent the kingdom. You do not maliciously and forcefully prevent God’s kingdom from advancing. Rather, you promote it, and live for it. You suffer malicious attacks by the forces of darkness from hierarchies of spiritual Antipas, and religious wicked holds that continually seek to forcefully stop God’s kingdom from advancing.

Quote for the Day: “The kingdom of God, established by the precious blood of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord is not by force. It is marked by righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word today; please teach me Your truth whenever I lack clarity. Take me by hand and hold me up to follow Your truth one step at a time, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please enjoy God’s presence today and always, and if you’re able, please attend our Carol of Hope today by 6pm CST…With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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