Now is the Time
Matthew 23-24
Every so often a group of people or a community make a stand against the injustice they experience. Communities across Britain, often but not exclusively those made up predominantly of black people, will take to the streets because they have had enough. Their protests are rooted in anger about how the violence of society, politics and economics is focussed on them and other deprived communities.
At this point in Matthew, in the Jerusalem Temple at the very centre of the nation’s political, economic and ideological power, Jesus announces that the game is up. Enough is enough. The suffering and oppression must stop.
Jesus goes on the offensive.
The so-called shepherds have failed. Worse, they have chosen to side with the power of Rome and reap the benefits. They have no credibility and should be ignored and resisted.
This is explosive. Jesus strips of their authority those who are acknowledged to speak for God, those who lead the nation. This is a radical and subversive stance. And it is final.
The human struggle for power continues. There will be wars and rumours of wars. However, Jesus is not a militaristic, Davidic Messiah. He speaks as a prophet and not as a monarch.
Prophets have always been attacked by the powerful throughout history and those who commit themselves to Jesus and his vision of the kingdom of heaven can expect to face hostility and persecution. They must resist. Resistance is the virtue required for building the kingdom of heaven in the midst of this oppression. It is what enables the testimony of the witness in the struggle against the empire.
To read the full text of Chapter 13 (pdf format) please download it from here: Download.
This material is offered freely. The website costs. If you want to help keep this material alive on the web then please contact us via info@urbanmatthew.co.uk.
Matthew 23-24
Every so often a group of people or a community make a stand against the injustice they experience. Communities across Britain, often but not exclusively those made up predominantly of black people, will take to the streets because they have had enough. Their protests are rooted in anger about how the violence of society, politics and economics is focussed on them and other deprived communities.
At this point in Matthew, in the Jerusalem Temple at the very centre of the nation’s political, economic and ideological power, Jesus announces that the game is up. Enough is enough. The suffering and oppression must stop.
Jesus goes on the offensive.
The so-called shepherds have failed. Worse, they have chosen to side with the power of Rome and reap the benefits. They have no credibility and should be ignored and resisted.
This is explosive. Jesus strips of their authority those who are acknowledged to speak for God, those who lead the nation. This is a radical and subversive stance. And it is final.
The human struggle for power continues. There will be wars and rumours of wars. However, Jesus is not a militaristic, Davidic Messiah. He speaks as a prophet and not as a monarch.
Prophets have always been attacked by the powerful throughout history and those who commit themselves to Jesus and his vision of the kingdom of heaven can expect to face hostility and persecution. They must resist. Resistance is the virtue required for building the kingdom of heaven in the midst of this oppression. It is what enables the testimony of the witness in the struggle against the empire.
To read the full text of Chapter 13 (pdf format) please download it from here: Download.
This material is offered freely. The website costs. If you want to help keep this material alive on the web then please contact us via info@urbanmatthew.co.uk.