In Luke 16:16 Jesus says that men press into the Kingdom of God, implying violence on our part. Matthew 11:12 also implies we can take the Kingdom through violence. Is this understanding so? How can all these Scriptures be found to agree (cp. John 6:44; 12:32; 15:16)? Agree they must, if the Bible is the word of God.
When Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (Genesis 32:24-30), two things became apparent. First of all Jacob didn’t go to the Angel of the Lord. He came to Jacob! Likewise, Jesus takes the initiative with me. I have not chosen Jesus. Jesus has chosen me. Secondly, though determined to hold onto the Angel of the Lord, Jacob was overcome by him and in that violent exchange, Jacob was blessed. When the Angel of the Lord violently dislocated his hip, Jacob’s walk (literally and spiritually) was never the same. No longer would he be called Jacob (supplanter), for he was renamed Israel (overcomer – cp. Genesis 32:22-32). It is interesting to understand the implied difference. For the one the violence is committed by the person in question. However, for the other the violence is done to the one in question. Both imply victory, but the difference transforming!
On the Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) immediately following the death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord into heaven, the Holy Spirit came down suddenly (G869) upon the disciples (Acts 2:1-4). As it was “In the beginning…” (Genesis 1), there was the sound of the Voice of God and the worlds were created. So in Acts 2:2 there was a “sound” of a rushing and mighty (or violent G952) wind, and the children of Adam began to become the children of God (born of the Spirit). The word “suddenly” is used only three times in the New Testament, in Acts 2:2; 16:26 and 28:6. In Acts 16:26 it is used of the “sudden” earthquake that opened all the prison doors where Paul was held captive. In Acts 28:6 it is used of the men with Paul expecting him to “suddenly” die because a viper bit him. Here in Acts 2:2 the Holy Spirit came and he suddenly (G869) and violently (G952) snatched the disciples out of this world and translated them into the Kingdom of God (Colossians1:13).
Luke 16:16 represents men as violently pressing into the Kingdom of God. Matthew 11:12 offers more details and says that the Kingdom of Heaven permits violence and that the violent take it by force. I’d like to suggest that these Scriptures should not be understood to mean that we can get into the Kingdom of God through aggressive, enthusiastic behavior. We enter the Kingdom of our Lord through faith. However, this does not mean that there is no violence, or that our faith is not demonstrated in our behavior.
Matthew 23:13, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”
The Pharisees or similar religious leaders of any age make trusting in Christ difficult and tried to discourage those who would believe (Matthew 12:23-24). They breath out threats and judgment and plant the seed of fear in the hearts of the people. Notice what Paul said to those who newly trusted in Christ in Acts 14:22. He confirmed the souls of the disciples, and exhorted them to continue in the faith, saying that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. The Arabic version of Luke 16:16 has it “every one suffers violence to himself for it”, while the Ethiopic says one, “is oppressed for it.” That is, the believer suffers reproach from others, as he or she considers Christ.
What happens to the believer can be understood in the light Jacob’s experience when he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. There is no question that there was violence going on. Jacob wanted a blessing and wouldn’t leave until he was satisfied. Jacob was blessed when the Angel of the Lord (Christ) dislocated Jacob’s hip, and his walk was never the same afterward. Similarly, when God sent Moses to take his children out of Egypt, he did it through violence. Violence was also done to God’s people, but in the end God brought them through it all – violently! Each of us has his own story to tell about how he was removed from the realm of this world and placed into the realm of God. I pray that it is among the treasures we hold in our hearts that remind us of the love and protection of our Lord and Savior.
Smoodock's Blog 