Lent For Everyone Reading Plan
This is Friday of the second week of Lent. The reading is Matthew 12:22-50. (If you want to listen, scroll to the bottom of that page for the audio links.)
Wright points out that Jesus wasn’t entirely a ‘gentle humble Messiah who was a pushover for every evil power that came along.’ But he did not fight as his followers expected him to – with armed might and political aspirations. Wright says “In fact, as gradually becomes clear, the real battle is against violence itself, against the normal human wickedness that shows itself in the desire for brute force to win the day. If you fight fire with fire, fire still wins. And Jesus has come to win the victory over fire itself, over the rule of the bullies and the power-brokers, in favour of the poor, the meek, the mourners, the pure in heart. It is precisely because Jesus is right in the middle of the real battle that it is vital not to confuse it with other battles.”
If you fight fire with fire, fire still wins. I like that. It reminds me a little bit of ‘Lead On, O King Eternal,’ which has always been a favorite hymn. The second verse says “Lead on, O King Eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper The sweet amen of peace; For not with swords’ loud clashing, Or roll of stirring drums; With deeds of love and mercy The heav’nly kingdom comes.”
I couldn’t really find a good version of this song on Youtube. Anyone want to make one? Here’s an audio version by Glad that’s kind of fun: Lead On, O King Eternal
