Advent after Advent after Advent we’ve heard John say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Are things any better for all that preaching? Our country seems to have lost its Judeo-Christian center, congressional hearings show compromise is a thing of the past, treating others civilly is not always common, and worldwide we have one powder keg after another. God’s kingdom often seems light years away.
Where are we looking? “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20-21). In the world’s midst? No, in the Church’s midst. Last week we meditated upon Jesus’ return to judge the living and the dead. We’ll see the kingdom then, big time! But now? Now it’s hidden, “in your midst.” You’ll see its signs Sunday when you withdraw from the world to be gathered with fellow members of the kingdom, “the holy Christian Church.” You’ll gather around Jesus, His Word, spoken and physical in the sacraments, the holy things which are the ancient meaning of the “communion of saints.” Scholar Jeffrey Gibbs describes the kingdom among us this way, “Is God’s kingly ruling activity fully present? No. Has it begun to operate? Yes, and John’s preaching is part of it.” (Concordia Commentary on Matthew 1:1-11:1, 153). That’s why the holy things in our midst this Sunday are “a foretaste of the feast to come.”
Now and not yet. The kingdom is breaking into our world in the Good News of Jesus. It’s like the first streaks of light before the full rise of the sun. Better to say, “Son.” “In this world you have trouble” (John 16:33), but “Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:6).
“Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, and usher in the morning.” Amen.
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