We should not so quickly overlook the acknowledgement in Matthew 4 that it is after the arrest of John the Baptist that Jesus “began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
In what way is the arrest of John the trigger which sets Jesus in motion?
Two thoughts: First, there is the line of thinking which speaks of Jesus as a disciple of John. Perhaps it is after the arrest of John that Jesus steps forward on his own. It is after the arrest of John that Jesus begins to collect his own disciples.
Second, the kingdom of which Jesus speaks is often exposed when those in power attempt to oppose it.
If there is one thing all Christians can agree on, it is the total lack of ambition to power possesses by our Rabbi. Jesus never seeks the kind of power which is to be granted by political entities or human structures. The only power which interests him is the power which flows through God’s servants. When the authorities arrested John, they exposed the real power of his message. When an attempt is made to quiet this river-front preacher, the real threat to their shallow world steps forward.
Something about the Christian story finds its heart in the willingness of Christ’s followers to refuse to use power in order to advance the message. It is a quiet, humble existence which best embodies what it is that Jesus would have us to do.
The kingdom of heaven is not ushered in with domination; it is exposed as we lift up others and allow ourselves to slip into the role of servant.
Pastor Chris
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