“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.” Luke 16:16 ESV
Reflection: how is it possible enter the kingdom of God by force?
For centuries, a conflict between Western and Eastern Europe has been going on. What we see play out over the past three years is horrific. But without taking a longer perspective than the past three years, it is impossible to understand the situation. Both sides, west and east, have been “aggressors”, expanding their territories. Both argue their right to do so. And while man battle to enter and take control over territories on earth, we read today that this happens not just in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual. Jesus says that,
“everyone forces his way into it [the kingdom of God.]”
Let that sink in for a moment. So what does Jesus mean by men trying to enter, to take the kingdom of God “by force”? It almost seems as if that is possible. But let’s not be fooled here. There are deeper lessons here Jesus is teaching.
Let’s look at a couple of examples what he said about entering the kingdom of God. ““Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3b ESV, which has to do with humidity and innocence. On a different occasion, Jesus said “Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”” Luke 18:24-27 ESV
So, since it is not possible for man, what was Jesus referring to then, by saying “everyone forces his way into it”? If we remember the context again, what we looked at yesterday, he was speaking to the religious leaders, the Pharisees, “And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15 ESV. They were speaking boldly about their own righteousness before God, through their own works.
But Jesus then makes is so clear to them that all their efforts, battling “by force” to enter, will not work. Will not change anything about who man is, and who God is. And he gives us this little beautiful verse to “chew on”, “But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.” Luke 16:17 ESV. We think of heaven and earth pretty unwavering, right? And even when we consider that as a reference, “a dot of the Law” is even more stable. More unwavering. Because
God doesn’t change.
He is holy, so pure, so beautiful to behold. Yet He is almighty, all powerful. No one can force their way into His kingdom, although many try. Many falsely claim there are an infinite number of ways to enter. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””Acts 4:12 ESV. Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we enter. The faith of a child. And even that is given to us by God.
We can do nothing in or by ourselves, only surrender.