You may find it strange that I am telling you to be violent. However, that is what we find in scripture. In Matthew 11, Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist and the impact of his ministry. Jesus declared that John the Baptist was more than a prophet and there was no one greater that was born of a woman. Then, Jesus says, And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12). As we see, it is the violent who obtains the kingdom of heaven. What is the key to being violent?
I know that being violent seems contrary to what we know about Jesus’ earthly ministry. In fact, when Peter drew his sword (to prevent Jesus from being taken away for trial), Jesus rebuked him (John 18:10-13). Unfortunately, Matthew 11:12 is often misunderstood. Jesus is not telling people to be violent by using physical force. We must look at the original Greek words to understand the meaning of the verse.
Based on the definition of the individual words, I would like to submit this rewording for understanding. People are crowding and pressing into the kingdom of heaven. Those who are striving to obtain it with the utmost effort will eagerly claim it for oneself. Be zealous to get into the kingdom. Have you ever gone to a crowded venue? There’s no room to get closer to the performance, or move anywhere, but you squeeze and maneuver through the crowd. You’re not going to let anyone stop you from your goal. We must have this same determination about the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 11:12 shows a stark contrast to the apathy of God’s people in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, there were feasts and sacrifice requirements. There were rules for the type of clothing material, and restrictions of what the Israelites could eat and touch. The Israelites erroneously thought that adherence to the Law was their worship to God. The Israelites assumed that their efforts, and praise from their mouths, were sufficient even if their hearts were not focused on pleasing God. They were just going through the motions.
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:11-15).
John the Baptist’s ministry ushered in a new era: the coming of the Messiah. People’s hearts were ready to receive Him. John the Baptist was in the wilderness. The people were so eager about God that they did not allow the challenges of traveling to hinder them. Although his message was consistent with the prophets (who were rejected), the people were responding to the simple requirements of repent and be baptized for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We have used Matthew 11:12 to encourage people to be violent and aggressive. However, we must become zealous. In Revelation 3, we find Jesus addressing the church of Laodicea.
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth…As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:15-16, 19-20)
Have you lost your zeal for God and His kingdom? Has your relationship with God become mundane and routine? Are you spiritually apathetic? Are you lukewarm and just going through the motions of worshipping God? Whether you need to repent, be baptized, or grab onto another aspect of God’s truth, I want to encourage you to be eager and determined to hold onto the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. Will you open the door?
For more on being in right relationship with God, read The Standard.
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Copyright 2020 T.L. Lockley. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Greek words were researched in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Public Domain.
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This is such a good reminder! It is so easy to get caught up in mundane activities of daily life that we become apathetic and lose the passion that we have known for Christ. Keeping a list of “do” and “don’t do” will not give us the love for Jesus that we should have. Those lists can become more like chains and we may even come to resent them. We need to find the joys and blessings that we have been given everyday. Life is difficult but even as we pray about situations: our own, the nation, or problems we know that others are having to endure, we need to take time in prayer to reflect on the blessings that we have been given and thank God for them. I have heard this called the “Pollyanna “ approach to life. There is always something that we can be “glad” about!
Alicia,
It is so easy for us to fall into the trap of making Jesus a part of the checklist, instead of a lifestyle of loving Him. My prayer is that I will never lose the joy of my salvation and the gratitude that it brings.
Blessings,
T.L.