From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force. – Matthew 11:12 (NRSVUE)
This verse has always given me pause; it’s a little
confusing to me. I get the first part, “the
kingdom of heaven has suffered violence” but it’s the “violent people take it by force” that baffles. It just seems contrary to Jesus’
usual teachings.
So, time to go under the surface of the words for a deep
dive.
In going beneath the words, I was led to a passage of scripture found in the Old Testament.
I will set them
together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture; it will resound
with people. The one who breaks out will go up before them; they will break
through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king will pass on before
them, the Lord at their head. – Micah 2:12-13 (NRSVUE)
“Breaking out” and “breaking
through” conjured up a picture in
my head. I envisioned a mass of people pushing and shoving their way out of a place
through a too-small opening.
Then I recalled a scene that I’d got caught up in many years
ago. It was after a concert, where for reasons unknown to me, there was mass
hysteria to leave the venue. The crowd was thick, and the gate to exit narrow
and suddenly I was being pushed from all sides until my feet left the ground. I
did not panic but remained still and allowed those “violent
people” to shuttle me right out
the gate.
That crowd was not violent in the way we may think of
violence, and this is what I believe is meant by “violent
people” in this verse.
Jesus’ original audience and us today, are expected to rely
on imagery as we listen to or read His words.
Violence here speaks of our being steadfast in our resolve
and determination to acquire the Kingdom right here on earth as it is in heaven,
to become members of the movement which Jesus established with His disciples over
two thousand years ago.
Nowadays being a part of a group is the norm. I am positive
that most, if not all, of you are in several group chats on WhatsApp, then
there’s Instagram and Facebook and those of you who fight for Human Rights, and
are activists for the environment, and are members of groups regarding your
profession, various clubs and so on – these are all movements in one form or
the other.
Yes, we are always fighting for something, not an all-out
physical brawl but it’s a fight nonetheless. Being a member of the Kingdom is
no different, we are supposed to fight and to conquer. The great news is that
Jesus, like John The Baptist before Him, has already done the breaking out for
us. Jesus, our Lord and King, the Head of this Spiritual Movement has passed on
before us.
Understand that as part of His movement, Jesus has given you
the authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will ever harm you
(see Luke 10:19).
he gave them power and
authority over all the demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out
to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. – Luke 9:1-2
(LEB)
Beloved in this Spiritual Movement, you come into contact
with the supernatural power of God which penetrates the natural realm from the
spiritual realm, touches you and enables you to “do
greater works” (see John 14:12).
When we, the followers of Jesus begin breaking out of our spiritual
complacency, “take [the Kingdom] by force”
and truly do
that which we have been commissioned to do in the world (see Matthew 28:16-20),
maybe then the Church will begin to truly impact the lives of all mankind and make
the difference that Christ originally intended. Amen?
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Breaking Out” © October 12, 2025
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