It's Already Among You
Living as though God's reign already is.
Blessed 21st Sunday after Pentecost to you. There are three weeks until the first Sunday of Advent.
Don’t miss the turn from one audience to the next in this morning’s passage. Jesus responds first to the Pharisees, and then turns to the disciples.
This passage most often focuses on the signs that Jesus gives that the “thing” has happened, but I want to focus on the question from the Pharisees this morning.
They ask Jesus about the timing of the coming of God’s kingdom. We’re pretty used to questions from the Pharisees being a kind of “gotchya” test. Perhaps that is the same here, but perhaps it’s just a question to see what Jesus thinks.
It is most likely true that their question is one with an underlying messianic purpose - when is the one coming who will establish God’s kingdom [like David did]? This is not a bad question! Indeed, we have similar ones today - How long, O Lord? (How long until you return and fix this mess?)
Jesus’ response can’t be missed.
God’s kingdom is already among you.
All God has ever wanted and granted to his people is his own kingship. Israel first rejected this in I Samuel 8. Then the Israelite/Judean monarchy began. But Jesus’ arrival goes back to God’s original plan - God is king. In fact, “king” isn’t even really an image that God would use. That’s a human concept. God’s reign is all over scripture from beginning to end. God’s reign transcends our categories. Even the word “king” can only gesture toward the divine reality of love and justice that governs all creation.
So when anyone (including us) asks, “God…when are you going to reign?”, Jesus’ answer is: He already does.
So live like it. Live as though God is already in charge. Order your life in such ways that assume God’s love and truth and righteousness and justice and beauty and all that’s good is already at reign.
Because it is. He is.
Yes, yes…a lot of things are terrible. Humanity is a mess.
But why would that change how we live if we believe God’s kingdom is already among us? Our faithfulness isn’t reactive to the world’s chaos. It’s responsive to God’s reign.
Careful, though. This does not mean that the effects of the world do not hit us. They do - vultures do gather. But it does mean that when the world does hit us, we respond differently…as though God is already in charge.
Luke 17:20-37
Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming. He replied, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.”
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “The time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Human One, and you won’t see it. People will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Don’t leave or go chasing after them. The Human One will appear on his day in the same way that a flash of lightning lights up the sky from one end to the other. However, first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be during the days of the Human One. People were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage until the day Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise in the days of Lot, people were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building. But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. That’s the way it will be on the day the Human One is revealed. On that day, those on the roof, whose possessions are in the house, shouldn’t come down to grab them. Likewise, those in the field shouldn’t turn back. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to preserve their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in the same bed: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together: one will be taken and the other left.”
The disciples asked, “Where, Lord?”
Jesus said, “The vultures gather wherever there’s a dead body.”
Psalm 93
The Lord rules! He is robed in majesty—the Lord is robed, clothed with strength. Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken. Your throne is set firm for a very long time. You are eternal!
Lord, the floods have raised up—the floods have raised up their voices; the floods raise up a roar! But mightier than the sound of much water, mightier than the sea’s waves, mighty on high is the Lord! Your laws are so faithful. Holiness decorates your house, Lord, for all time.
Prayer
God,
It is only by your gift that we can be faithful, that we can be people who offer true and worthy service and presence in the world. So yes, grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises.
Lord, be with your Church everywhere today. As we gather, remind us that you are Lord, indeed. That despite all the current circumstances, we can live as though you are in charge - that your love is real and has changed our lives, if nothing else.
Let me say it again - likely for me more than you - remind us to live as though you are in charge. Because you are.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.