The King & His Kingdom
Perhaps it is fitting that the events that have transpired today (and those that continue to unfold) in our nation's capital have taken place on Epiphany. This is by no means meant to diminish those acts, which I think are rightly deemed disgraceful and worse. But entering Epiphany today we are reminded of the darkness of this world and the light of God.
A well-known royal psalm, psalm 72 praises the Lord for he will provide his King to establish justice, righteousness, and goodness in this world. That the Lord will (and must!) provide his King is a critique of every candidate humanity might put forward of its own accord. Though some rulers and leaders are better than others–"better" here can be understood in a variety of ways–they all will fail in some measure. And when they do fail, idolatry is exposed. That last line cuts cleanly across America's political landscape, not favoring either/all parties. The Lord's Kingship offends equally; it shows no partiality. And only because of this–that it is the Lord's King and he carries out justice without partiality–can hope exist.
The Kingdom of God has come and in the same breath it is coming still. The classic theological language is: the kingdom is already (here) and not yet (here). Throughout the Scriptures we read descriptions of the character of God, his concern for justice, his love of this world, and his desire that all might be saved. It is to his Body, the Church, that God has handed over this work. This is not work to be done independent of him, but by relying on his Spirit to lead and to guide. As we await the final installation of the King and his full reign, we are to be found doing the King's work: to sow peace where there is discord; to stand up for justice where injustice abounds; to proclaim truth in halls of lies; to love all with the love characteristic of Jesus in spaces of hate.
Pastor Paul sums this up well: "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Col 3:12-15)
Grace & Peace,