21. The Last Will Be First

Jesus had startling news for his generation. The kingdom of God is already here, he declared. It is not coming soon, it is right here, right now.

That was a big idea to absorb, because you will remember that the Roman Empire ruled the roost back then and they kept the Hebrew nation under their heavy boot, demanding allegiance, obedience and taxes. No wonder the writer of Psalm 42 wrote, “All day long the people jeer and ask, where is your God now?”. Where indeed was God with economic disparities widening, violence increasing and seemingly no peace anywhere but Pax Romano, which was in fact no peace at all, only oppression.

All these years later, Jesus’ claim still stands: the kingdom of God is right here, right here in your midst.

Where oh where is this kingdom of God that Jesus is talking about?

The problem now, is the same as the problem then.

The people now, and people then, are, and were, looking for divine intervention.

And Jesus is pointing out that there is only divine collaboration.

The kingdom of God is not brought about by divine intervention.

The kingdom of God is brought about by participatory collaboration.

So very glad that you have come to participate.

Every blessing for the journey.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion

Give us to eat the bread that is you

Nourish us well and teach us to fashion

Lives that are holy and hearts that are true

Not in the dark of buildings confining

Not in some heaven light years away

But here in this time the new light is shining

Now is the kingdom, now is the day

— Marty Haugen, lyrics from hymn ‘Gather Us In’