Isaiah 2:1-5
Following from yesterday's sermon recap and general introduction to Advent, we now turn to the passage from Isaiah 2:1-5. This passage is a vision for the future; a vision of peace. It is a vision describing a time when instruments of violence, swords and spears, are turned into tools for cultivation, plowshares and pruning hooks. It is a time when competition is transformed into cooperation. We read Isaiah during Advent as preparation for the coming of Jesus. We remember that Jesus did come 2,000 years ago. How is it then, if Jesus came, that we are not living out this vision of peace? Why do we still have instruments of violence? Why do we continue to live in a world of competition? Why do we continue to learn war?
Perhaps the answer is not a simple one. Is it ever simple when it comes to understanding what Jesus' coming was all about? Perhaps vision of peace, or as Jesus would say, the Kingdom of God, did come with Jesus. And... perhaps the Kingdom of God is coming right now and will come in the future. Perhaps the answer is not either the Kingdom of God came or the Kingdom of God is coming. Perhaps the answer is the Kingdom of God came and the Kingdom of God is coming.
Jesus came 2,000 years ago and dethroned the kingdoms of the world. He taught us ways to live together that would further bring about his kingdom. He humbly and sacrificially died in a way that his peace and love overcame the violent and powerful authorities of the world. And now, we have the choice to participate in the kingdom that came and is coming. We, as the Body of Christ are called to continue to work towards the coming of that kingdom. And, it is happening in many amazing ways even as you read this post.
There are many examples of ways that we can choose to participate in the coming kingdom. Today I want to lift up one particular community that is doing tremendous work for the coming kingdom. The Simple Way is an intentional Christian community rooted in Philadelphia. That is, they are a community of folks who live together and commit to a common way of living out values that transform their lives and the world around them. Here is a list of values that they hold in common:
Perhaps the answer is not a simple one. Is it ever simple when it comes to understanding what Jesus' coming was all about? Perhaps vision of peace, or as Jesus would say, the Kingdom of God, did come with Jesus. And... perhaps the Kingdom of God is coming right now and will come in the future. Perhaps the answer is not either the Kingdom of God came or the Kingdom of God is coming. Perhaps the answer is the Kingdom of God came and the Kingdom of God is coming.
Jesus came 2,000 years ago and dethroned the kingdoms of the world. He taught us ways to live together that would further bring about his kingdom. He humbly and sacrificially died in a way that his peace and love overcame the violent and powerful authorities of the world. And now, we have the choice to participate in the kingdom that came and is coming. We, as the Body of Christ are called to continue to work towards the coming of that kingdom. And, it is happening in many amazing ways even as you read this post.
There are many examples of ways that we can choose to participate in the coming kingdom. Today I want to lift up one particular community that is doing tremendous work for the coming kingdom. The Simple Way is an intentional Christian community rooted in Philadelphia. That is, they are a community of folks who live together and commit to a common way of living out values that transform their lives and the world around them. Here is a list of values that they hold in common:
12 Marks of New Monasticism1) Relocation to the abandoned places of Empire. | The Simple Way and many other communities like them are choosing to live out the vision that Isaiah described in a very specific way. Although we will not all choose to live with others in intentional community, we can learn a lot from them about how we might be able to further live into the kingdom of God. Check out these videos that show how The Simple Way teamed up with a group of blacksmiths to literally beat weapons into tools. It is really cool:
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