The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all of the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

- Matthew 11:7-15

In yesterday's reading, two of John the Baptist's disciples come to Jesus. John is in prison, and they are sent to ask Jesus, "Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus quoted from Isaiah the prophet, in words about the Messiah: "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses." Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist. As a preacher, proclaiming repentance before the Messiah, John clothed himself as did Elijah, in camel's hair and a leather belt. Matthew's gospel tells us he ate locusts and wild honey, and his place of preaching was the wilderness. Jesus makes the contrast between those in "soft garments" and John's ministry. An irony: John is imprisoned in a "king's house" by Herod Antipas.

"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'" Jesus proclaims John's status as a prophet -- "and more than a prophet." He quotes from Malachi. John is the messenger who prepares the way of the Lord, the Messiah.

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." In the understanding of the coming of the kingdom, John is the greatest of the prophets. It is he who was sent to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. But now a new thing is happening: the kingdom and its presence is here, is near, and we can participate in it. Jesus is here to show the Way -- and thus a new covenant and a new age is inaugurated. In this new inauguration, those who are least in the kingdom of heaven are greater than John and his righteousness. My study bible says, "For by grace through faith under the New covenant we become children of God and partakers of the Holy Spirit. John is honored because (1) he was righteous, (2) he prepared the way for the first coming of the Lord, and (3) he baptized Christ."

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." We remember that Jesus is talking about a change, a New Covenant. Furthermore, He is speaking to the people about John, and John's arrest. Things are now turning against this kingdom, opposition is rising. Perhaps the crowds are scandalized by John now that there is formal opposition to him and he is imprisoned -- even though in the beginning of Matthew's gospel, we were told that even those in the religious leadership were coming out to be baptized. My study bible has a note which I will repeat: "Suffers violence may mean that the Kingdom is under attack by opponents of John the Baptist and Jesus, or other violent men -- messianic pretenders trying to bring in the Kingdom by using military force against the Romans. An ancient patristic interpretation is that the Kingdom itself breaks into this world 'violently.' For instance, through powerful miracles, alert and daring people take hold of it aggressively. Whoever is a hearer and lover of the Word of God takes the Kingdom 'by force,' exerting all earnestness and desire to enter the reality of the Kingdom. For this martyrs shed their blood, making their confession of faith, being 'made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men' (1 Cor. 4:9). The Kingdom of Heaven belongs not to the sleeping or lazy. Rather, the violent take it by force." In Luke 16:16, we read: "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it." The Greek word for force or violence is the same, but here translated as "pressing into it."

"For all of the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" The time of the prophets and the law was until John -- John is Elijah who is to come, the one who foresees the day of the Kingdom, the Messiah. It is a time of change, of "violent" change, if you will. The kingdom is coming whether people want it to or not; it is present, it has "come near" as He taught the Apostles to preach. It is breaking through. We turn again to Luke's gospel to read about John: "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

In the midst of the darkness, the kingdom is proclaimed. It is "breaking through" - the light shining in the darkness. It is a time of violence, and yet in its own way, the Kingdom bears its own sort of violence. It is coming upon them in a way that breaks through, shines through. It is coming whether people want it to or not, whether the leadership approves or not, and the result will be judgment in the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the world. All that is left is for people to "hear" or not, or to accept or not. In the gospel, we find ourselves in a time of gathering darkness and opposition, in which the forces of violence are moving against Jesus, against John. But this kingdom bears its own violence in its own sense: it doesn't wait for permission. It is here. It is proclaimed. It is the sword that Jesus spoke about in Thursday's reading. And so, people are faced with a choice. Will they be offended because of Him? Are they scandalized by the roughness of John, and his imprisonment? The kingdom has come near with its own power and authority and presence, and those who bear it in the world do so forcefully. How do you seize hold of that kingdom for yourself today? How do you bear its light within yourself? How does the light "break through" for you?

Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

- Matthew 11:1-6

In yesterday's reading, Jesus completed His discourse to the Twelve Apostles, before sending them out on their first mission. The readings and commentary for this section began with Like sheep having no shepherd, in which He appointed the Twelve. The next is The kingdom of heaven is at hand, in which He taught them what to preach. Then He taught them, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Next, He taught the value of fearless witness, even in a time of betrayal; He said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Finally, in yesterday's reading, He taught about the times they are entering, what it will be to be sheep in the midst of wolves. Betrayal is everywhere, and He quotes from the prophet Micah. But each must carry his cross to be worthy of Him; there may be very hard choices to make. See Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?" My study bible says of this passage: "According to the Church Fathers, John the baptist asks this question in order to guide his own disciples to Jesus. It is also possible, according to modern interpretations, that John thought of the Messiah as judge only and was perplexed by the mercy of Jesus." We know that many disciples came from John the Baptist to Jesus, and that John's mission was the preparation of the people for the Messiah. Since John is in prison, it is reasonable that he asks Jesus this question; he is coming to the end of his own mission of prophesy. But the gospel also gives us new reason to take Jesus' words to heart that He delivered to the Twelve before they are sent out: they are sheep in the midst of wolves. It is a time of betrayal, and the gospel is not welcome. The words of Jesus that we have been reading in the past several readings come to light more deeply in the face of John's poignant question, and his circumstances.

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them." My study bible notes, "Isaiah predicted that at the coming of the Messiah the blind would see, the lame walk, lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear (see Luke 7:22). Jesus fulfills the prophesies of Isaiah, bearing the fruit which only the Messiah can produce." For reference to passages from Isaiah, see Isaiah 29:18, 35:4-6, 61:1. The great emphasis on the last phrase here ("the poor have the gospel preached to them") is made more strongly in the readings that have come just before, in the sending out of the Twelve on their first mission. It marks a new period of the gospel being spread, even as John is in prison.

"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Here Jesus provides the hint of the judgment that perhaps John is expecting. This is the way the judgment is to happen: the gospel, the good news of salvation, must be preached everywhere. A new period is beginning with the sending out of the Twelve Apostles on their first mission, and a handing off from the work of John, the greatest of the prophets, to the missionaries and evangelists and disciples and apostles of Christ.

In some sense, this beginning that we see here, of the image of the first "missionaries," the Apostles, being sent out is the seed of the time in which we find ourselves today. Christ Himself sends out those first, as He tells John that the gospel is being sent out and preached to the poor. We recall the first words of the Beatitudes about the "poor in spirit," and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. It's all about what we want the most, what we are willing to exchange for this good news. In today's reading, we have a handing off from the period of the prophets - of whom Jesus will say that John is the greatest - to the new period of the gospel. Tomorrow's reading will touch upon Jesus' vision of John the Baptist, and the times in which He finds Himself, of betrayal of the good. When Jesus teaches in today's reading, "Blessed is he who is not offended because of me," He speaks of Himself as stumbling block, something that scandalizes. We are all here to make a choice, and He is here to offer it to us. Elsewhere, the evangelist John will say that "the light shines in the darkness." Into a dark time, Jesus has indicated, He is sending out His apostles, those who bear the kingdom and bring it near to others. He is the light shining in the darkness, His word reaches out to all of us, and even to John sitting in a dark prison cell. We are still in this time of the light of love reaching out into a place where violence, manipulation, betrayal and cruelty may be the norm. How does it reach to you today? Can we hear the words? The darkness doesn't "comprehend" -- is He a stumbling block? Nevertheless, the light can't be overtaken, and still shines. How does it reach to you today? Does it illumine something you need to see?

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

- Matthew 10:34-42

Jesus has been instructing the Twelve on going out to their first mission. He taught them to preach that The kingdom of heaven is at hand. He said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught that a disciple is not above his teacher -- that they will suffer for His sake and that of the gospel. He repeatedly taught "do not fear" those who can kill the body but not the soul, and He taught of the power of the Father, which is almighty, and in Whose hands is their ministry, and all things. He said, "But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body to hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." He taught, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' " Jesus' words here are referenced from Micah 7:6. The prophet was telling of a time of corruption and betrayal, deeply set into the society, a turning away from God and from the ways which are godly. So Jesus puts us -- and specifically, the disciples -- into a setting in which betrayal may abound. It is a time in which He is not welcome, and they "are not greater than their master." The leadership has even called Jesus Beelzebub, claiming that He cast out demons by the power of the ruler of the demons. So what is in store for His disciples? They really must not be surprised by the falling away of relationships, the need to form hard choices that may come to them in His service.

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Relationships may test our faith: obligations of one and the other may conflict. It depends on the choices of each person, where their heart is, and upon our relationship to Christ. In a modern conversation, we could think of something like an addiction problem in a family. Christ may lead one away from time spent with relatives who do not wish to help one's longterm spiritual health, for example. The possibilities are endless. But here, a key point is Christ's mention of the cross. The cross is a point of choice, some sort of conflict with "the world" (as in "the ruler of this world") that forces us into a choice for our own spiritual well-being, our relationship to God, to Christ, to love. This is a key juxtaposition of the spirit of discipleship, an illustration of what it is to enter into a world as sheep in the midst of wolves. My study bible has a note that reads, "The gospel can create sharp conflicts within families because of unbelief and evil in people. To carry his cross to the end, a true disciple must be ready, if absolutely necessary, to sacrifice even family relationships."

"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." In the end, choosing His Way becomes a question of loyalty, love and need. What do we need most? Are we willing to discard those things we may think are precious in order to better love, in order to find a more truly loving way of life? This is where Christ leads, in that place of the cross, where we seek to learn a better way, and may have to turn back from things we think make up who we are. It is a place of repentance and change. It is a place of a new life. Moreover, it is a place of deepening relationship.

"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Jesus expands here on the relationship built between Himself and His disciples, and the choices they make as they carry their own crosses in life. The relationship is such that they become an extension of Him. They have been told from the beginning of this discourse that His power, His kingdom is with them, within them. (See The kingdom of heaven is at hand.) In relationship, they bear Him, they bear the Father and the Kingdom, and by extension, those who receive them receive the same. My study bible says, "The disciples and missionaries are ambassadors who represent Jesus. All who extend help to them will receive God's reward." The tone is about relationship, in this kingdom which is characterized by love, and contrasted with the "worldly" one of corruption, manipulation, violence, cruelty.

What do we understand of this passage in our own lives? Surely, to each carry our own crosses might mean that we can expect to make hard choices. We may have to choose between things that we consider our very lives to be made up of. We may have to 'cast out' things we think are precious. But when the choice comes, we will know it. And choice always means personal change, repentance -- the Greek word is metanoia, "change of mind." Our new lives will come to us in Him, in relationship to Him and to His Way. And that is the cross we carry. We walk through the world that works in different ways, we start with this basic relationship that supersedes all else, and as we go forward, we learn and grow. We carry the cross we are given, and life shapes anew in the direction in which He leads us, He gives. What way do you choose for Him today? How does He lead you? It may not be in matters great to anyone else, it could be in something 'very small.' But small or great, He calls. What new thing does He lead you to today? Remember it is a relationship of love, and extends out to all else, all others as well.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

"Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body to hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

- Matthew 10:24-33

We continue in our readings that tell us about Jesus' sending out of the Twelve Apostles. He has been preparing them for their first mission. First we read of their appointment. Then Jesus began to prepare them for mission -- see The kingdom of heaven is at hand -- how they should conduct themselves, what they should preach. In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught them, "Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." He warned them about the persecution to come, and taught that in the hour of their witnessing, the Spirit will help them to speak - it will be given to them what they are to speak. Even the deepest family relationships may be split by betrayal, and they "will be hated by all" for His name's sake. They are to flee to the next city when they are persecuted in one, and to continue their mission to the cities of the house of Israel.

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them." Jesus endures all things before us, before His disciples. The "master of the house," Christ, has been called Beelzebub. He's been accused of casting out demons by the ruler of the demons. My study bible points out that "Do not fear" appears three times in this passage, in order "to embolden the community's witness in the face of adversity." It adds, "Christ's disciples, then and now, must not be intimated by persecutors nor fail to persevere in fearless preaching."

"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops." This is a powerful message about fearless witnessing. It is about a kind of uncovering, a revelation, if you will. It hearkens back to His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. What we receive from Him, even in the secret place, in the inner chamber, if you will, is to be revealed to all. In some sense, it is an implication of Christ's presence, His Word, with them, and with us too. It is also an indication of Himself as Shepherd, who will always be with us. In witnessing, there is living, dynamic relationship.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body to hell." My study bible points out here that this passage teaches us about the immortality of the soul, which is ours by God's grace. Those who "kill the body" are the violent persecutors; it's a statement about physical death. But Him, here, refers to God, in whose hands is our soul. My study bible has an important note on the word used for hell here. "Hell is literally 'Gehenna.' In Jewish history Gehenna (the Valley of Hinnom) became a place of forbidden religious practices because a throne was established there for Molech, to whom children were offered as sacrifices (2 Chr. 28:3; Jer. 32:35). King Josiah put an end to these practices (2 Kin. 23:10). By Jesus' time the valley had become a garbage dump that smoldered ceaselessly. Because of these associations, Gehenna acquired the connotation of punishment in the afterlife."

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Immediately following the implications of the power of God's judgment is this profound statement about the tremendous value we have as human beings in God's eyes. For the One in whose hands is our soul and body, then, the One who has the power over all life and judgment, our worth as witness is beyond our calculation. But we also recall Judgment -- and the weight our denial will carry. My study bible writes, "If God takes care of sparrows, and the hairs of your head are numbered, then He has the power of creating, sustaining, and providing for everything -- even to the smallest details. Thus, do not fear."

It's interesting view here that Jesus places everything in the hands of God. We know God's great love for us all. He teaches of our tremendous worth and value to God. But also there is the power of Judgment -- that it is up to God's power as well whether or not we have eternal life. The use of the word "Gehenna" here teaches us something about that which is separate from God, and an opposing kingdom -- a place of the worship of demons and horrible and abominable practices such as child sacrifice. But it is God's power, as Jesus puts it, that can exile and leave us in that place that is without God in some sense, separate. It's a deeply ironic twist to the slander and even blasphemy Jesus refers to when He says that He is called Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. But it reinforces to us a sense in which hell may be of our own making, the place that is without God when we remain separate from God, where there is no love, no goodness, no beauty, but only terror and emptiness, chaos where anything can happen - a place where the currency of life is cruelty and violence. This is a dread or fear then of being left to that place, without possibility of return, a true sense of destruction and what that might mean in terms of an eternal promise of life. But the deeper message here is of God's love and value of human beings. We are created to carry God's kingdom as witnesses. And this is how God's power works, as opposed to the power of violence and cruelty. Even in a place, a world where there has been a Gehenna, we carry that kingdom. We are of the tremendous value that God places on us, in us. And we are deeply connected to the Father in so many mysterious ways, so much that even the hairs on our head are numbered. I keep returning to St. Paul's received message: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). As imperfect and weak and frail human beings, we are blessed with God's love, trusted with Christ's power, blessed with the message that we are His witnesses. Let us remember, then, in Whose hands rest all things.

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of man comes."

- Matthew 10:16-23

In yesterday's reading, Jesus "sent out" His apostles, teaching them what they must do and say. They are, first, to go to the "lost sheep" of the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles. They are to preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus tells them, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." They carry the power He has vested in them, as they carry the kingdom. They are not to carry extra provisions in any form. They are to inquire who is worthy, and to stay in one household. They great each house with peace -- but if the house is not worthy, let their peace return to them. In places where they are not received nor their words heard, they are to shake the dust off their feet as a rebuke, and depart.

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Into the midst of the world go the disciples, "as sheep in the midst of wolves." And so, we get a sense of the kingdom of "the ruler of this world," and the ways that are different from the loving message of the kingdom. A sheep is that which is under the care of the shepherd; a wolf in this image is "ravenous" and predatory, and does not care for the sheep except as prey. To be wise as a serpent is to watch and be aware, as harmless as doves is the gentle way of the kingdom, in which a rebuke is to "shake the dust off their feet." My study bible says they are to be wise as serpents that they might not be unnecessarily wounded, harmless as doves so they do not retaliate against those who do them wrong.

"But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." Here Jesus graphically warns of what is to come. He prepares them for adversity, in every way He can, and for fearless witness.

"But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." What is witnessing? Is it not here clearly depicted as the work of the Spirit in us? Moreover, we are linked to the Father -- this is truly the Trinity at work in us. Where Christ is, where the Spirit is, where the Word is, so is the Trinity. This kingdom is connected in us and through us. My study bible says, "The work of the disciples in advancing the Kingdom of God is accompanied and empowered by the Spirit, who always accomplishes His purposes."

"Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." A vivid picture here of what is to come. Jesus spares nothing in His imagery of what they can expect as His disciples, as witnesses. Note that in the Greek, a "martyr" is a "witness." But faith is the key here, the endurance of faith through all things.

"When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of man comes." Again, Jesus teaches they must move on when they encounter rejection and harm. They are to persistently remain "as wise as serpents and harmless as doves." But they have a job to do, and it is to move on, to spread the Word where it can be heard, to pursue their mission to those who want to receive it, who want to hear them. My study bible points out that they are "never told to quit or even to flee far when they are persecuted -- just to move on to the next city and thus to all the cities of Israel." Before the Son of Man comes, it continues, "is probably not a reference to the Second Coming, but to (1) the exaltation of the Messiah in His Passion and Resurrection, or (2) the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70" which it says was a visitation of Christ in judgment. It is possible, it seems to me, that this also indicates Jesus' revelation and persecution as suffering Messiah -- as my study bible points out, the events of the Passion and Resurrection.

So, the mission becomes clear. It crystalizes as one of peace. They are sheep in the midst of wolves. They are to be wise and serpents and harmless as doves. In the midst of persecution, fearless witnesses, relying on the "Spirit of your Father" to be at work in them, giving them the word for testimony. They are to be prepared for persecution even from their closest family members, among relatives, friends, kin, countrymen. But it is salvific faith that "endures to the end." They are to move on from city to city -- they clearly have a mission, a job to do. And the time is short -- as they are sent to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." What a preparation is this! What a mission! Let us consider the ways of the Kingdom, the ways of this spiritual truth and the reality it represents. Can we consider for ourselves this life, this Way to be in the world? And what is witnessing, in our context today? Shall we consider what it is to bear the kingdom within us? To be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves?" How do you bear that in your daily life? How do we tell the truth in the ways He asked of us?

The kingdom of heaven is at hand

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs, for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in that day of judgment than for that city!"

- Matthew 10:5-15

In yesterday's reading, we read about Jesus preaching and teaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and disease. But, we were told, when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. He told His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Then He appointed the Twelve, who will be sent out. He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Our reading named the Twelve, including the one who eventually betrayed Jesus.

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." We recall the words from yesterday's reading, But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. These are words that come from Scripture (see Num. 27:17; 1 Kin. 22:17, and Ezek. 24:5), and they point to the lack of religious leadership for the people. So, the disciples are first sent to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." My study bible says, "Jesus sends them only to the Jews, the focus of His earthly ministry, that the Jews might not, after the Resurrection, blame the disciples for 'going to uncircumcised men' (Acts 11:3), the Gentiles." The Greek apostolos means one who is sent out on a mission.

"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" This phrase will be echoed through the gospels, and Jesus will use it in several contexts. Its meaning can be extended in several ways. But one thing we can understand: the kingdom is carried with us, within us, among us. The apostles carry it with them. And, in the context of the Hebrew Scripture, it is "at hand" -- imminent. It is the long awaited time of the kingdom, the messianic age. But we note the words, it is "the kingdom of heaven."

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." This is a full blessing of Jesus' power, invested in and shared with His disciples, so that they in turn may represent the presence of that kingdom "at hand," imminent in the world. These are extraordinary powers that can only come from the divine, and from His kingdom. They bear it within them, and it has been bestowed freely. Thus, "freely you have received, freely give." In a relationship with Christ, we 'earn' nothing, grace is 'freely given' and 'freely received' - not as the world gives. My study bible says, "whatever they accomplish is a gift from God."

"Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs, for a worker is worthy of his food." My study bible's note is worth reading: "He instructs them to carry no money; they must depend on God for their sustenance. Also, this prevents any accusations of greed. He frees them from worry about worldly provisions so that their only occupation is preaching the Word." In some extended sense, they are dependent only upon God for all things. It is a further extension of the teaching on their spiritual gifts which they are to bestow freely.

"Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out." This is also an extended teaching on humility, on the attitude of the "poor in spirit." The presumption is that they are not to move to households that may be more affluent, more comfortable, but to stay where they are first made welcome, with those who are willing to hear.

"And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in that day of judgment than for that city!" Again, it is worth quoting a note from my study bible: "Christ commissions His servants to give a greeting of peace, the same peace He offered when He said, 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you' (John 14:27). God's peace, proclaimed by the Prophets of the Old Testament (see Is. 52:7), revealed as a fruit of the Holy spirit (Gal. 5:22), is to this day given to the people through the Word of Christ, "Peace be to all," spoken by His priests in the Liturgy." "Peace be with you" is a greeting with which we are all still familiar, carried through the centuries in the Church. We must note the emphasis here on the response of people to the presence of the kingdom, to the bestowal of the peace. "Freely you have received, freely give" applies also to the bestowal of peace: here, we understand what it is to refuse this gift, this grace, the work of the Spirit in the world. "Shake off the dust from your feet" is the only rebuke given in instruction by Christ. Judgment is left to God alone.

What does it mean to offer God's peace to others? Surely this peace is more than just a greeting or a formality. It's a gift -- a gift of grace, of the Holy Spirit, of the presence of the kingdom that is at hand. It is more than simply harmony with one another, but also signifies intention, the intention to do good. I have heard love described also as the intention to do good to one another, to wish good for one another. Christ's peace, which He gives and offers to all of us as He left it with His disciples at the Last Supper, is something that extends our awareness of peace to even deeper levels. It is also a gift of reconciliation, to God, in Him, and to one another. This is a deeper sense of relatedness, of love, and more. It implies the hope of deepening mystical union in that Body of Christ, even to relationship to the Father. So, when we offer our peace to one another, let us consider the depth of that peace, and its deepening meaning and sense in us. If we carry His kingdom within us, as we are freely given its blessings, we can come to understand that peace as a depth of gift of the Spirit, a fruit that keeps on growing, giving, and blessing. Let us also consider what it is within us if we spurn that gift. Peace be with you!

Like sheep having no shepherd

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

And when He had called his twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

- Matthew 9:35-10:4

In yesterday's reading, two blind men followed Jesus, crying and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" Jesus asked them if they believed He could do this - and they answered yes. He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." Then their eyes were opened. He warned them not to speak of it, but word of the healing, a Messianic sign, went everywhere. A mute and demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus, whom He healed. The people said that nothing like this was ever seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said of Jesus, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons."

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Jesus' fame has now gone far and wide, perhaps "in all Israel." But what He finds in encountering the multitudes, is a people who are "weary and scattered." Jesus' response is compassion. My study bible points out that compassion means "suffering with." In the Greek, this word implies a deep movement of the emotions, deep feeling. The phrase like sheep having no shepherd is drawn from the Old Testament -- see Num. 27:17; 1 Kin. 22:17, and Ezek. 24:5. In the context of Scripture, it is an accusation against the religious leadership, which has failed its people. My study bible says they are charged with the duty of shepherds, but acted the part of wolves.

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Jesus implies that there are many, many people who are ready to hear His message, who need His leadership and what He has to offer them -- to the sheep without a shepherd, who are weary and scattered. How many of us can relate to this situation in our lives, this description of the people that Jesus encounters? My study bible says that the "harvest" is the harvest of all the prophets of Israel whom He has sent out -- the apostles are to reap this harvest, not to sow. He, Christ, is Himself the Sower, the Lord of the Harvest. A note says, "It is not the number of those who go which is most important, but the power given to those who are sent," which we will read about in the following verses.

And when He had called his twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. We take note, as we did in yesterday's reading and commentary, of the conflict between two realms, in some sense. The disciples are given "power over unclean spirits, to cast them out" -- that is, to cast out the influence of this other realm that is opposed to that of Jesus. And that which is "unclean" or "impure," having bad or harmful influence, is parallel to the sickness and the disease that afflict human beings.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Even here, we note the influence of what is not "pure" -- not fully intentioned in an honest way, the betrayal that will come from one of His own apostles, the implication of conflict of these realms at work in the world.

In yesterday's reading, we were first introduced to the objections of the Pharisees to Jesus' work specifically against the demonic. They accused Him of casting out demons by the ruler of the demons. Here, to help the people, the multitudes who are "weary and scattered," He appoints His apostles. The titles disciple and apostle are interchangeable for these men, says my study bible. The first means "learner" and the second is "one officially sent out on a mission." They are an extension of His kingdom, in the real sense of the power of a ruler. But Jesus' kingdom is spiritual, and the power He invests in them is spiritual, and of Himself as Son, as divine. But we always have this question in the background, of everything related to our faith, our choice, where we will invest our trust. They are sent out for the harvest, and harvest implies judgment - which will come in the culmination of this age He inaugurates. But for now, His kingdom must spread, His word -- the seeds of the Sower -- will go out, building on the word of the prophets of Israel who were "sent out" before His incarnation in the world. We get a sense that behind all things, there is choice, there are the hearts and minds of human beings, and the extraordinary value in which we are held, and the tremendous love for us that surpasses all else. In His saving guidance as Shepherd, in His word, and in His compassion is that love behind all else. Can we accept it? Do we know that we need it? It seems to me that it all comes down to that, which is offered to us in so many ways.