Chassis
The whole world is in a state of chassis (Irish for “chaos”). So said Sean O’ Casey in his 1922 play about the Irish civil war “Juno and the Paycock”.
He was not wrong. Our world seems to constantly lurch from geopolitical crisis to economic challenge to natural disaster. Psalm 46 nails it:
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall.
Psalm 46:6
What is a Christian to think of all this, or to do about it? Bury our heads in the sand of disconnected piety? Burn our hearts out in well-meaning social action programmes?
The Answer
Jesus tells us that the answer to our personal, social and global crises is the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus comes preaching the kingdom (Matthew 9:35). Our Christian hope rests not in our ability to work until we (in Blake’s famous words) “have built Jerusalem, in England’s green & pleasant Land” (fill in your own preferred country or issue here) but in announcing the good news that the kingdom of God is breaking in through in King Jesus. Our hope, our confidence is in a kingdom that is not of this world but is most certainly for this world.
Jesus came proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, that God’s mission had landed in person on planet Earth. This kingdom is not an abstract concept but an actual train of events bringing God’s rescue and restoration to actual human history and hearts. This kingdom is won through his cross and resurrection and will steer creation to its final glory, transfigured into new creation. His plans are proven and incontrovertible. This kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). His purpose for creation will not be thwarted: God will be ‘all in all’ (1 Corinthians 15.28).
Jesus invites us to join with him to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom.
How?
Matthew 10 is our text this week and it shows us Jesus mobilising his followers to become messengers, heralding the good news of the kingdom.
- What would that look like for you and me today, this week?
- How do we make known the kingdom? Am I good news?
Jesus invites us to follow him into the world. It may be harassed and helpless (Matthew 9:36,37), yet it is also a place of harvest.
Matthew 10 offers some practical steps to sharing the good news:
- Consider the places where we show up: where do you and I find ourselves regularly? How can we share our faith there?
- Think about the people we meet and to look for those who are responsive to the good news of the kingdom. How can we help them in their journey to faith? Who do you meet with who is open to the message?
- Pay attention to what God is already doing in places and people, for he is already present in the world we enter. (2 Cor 5:19) Pray: Lord, help me to listen to what you are doing and saying here. What invitation might you offer to help someone move towards Jesus?
For a great little book about how to follow the way of Jesus into the world and share our faith:
David Fitch: Presence Based Witness
Iain