IN OUR MIDST

Monday, March 16, 2020

Scripture

Luke 17:20-21

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Comment & Reflections

As we step into our first full week of being homebound and social distancing, we have more time on our hands than we typically are accustom to having. I will invite you to use that time to reflect a little longer on the above passage because there is something special within it that we might miss if we read to fast or casual. What I am about to share might seem a little academic, but sometimes we have to dig a little deeper to find the hidden treasures.

This passage has a double meaning, and perhaps, a beautiful paradox. It all turns on the final three word in the sentence that we read as “in your midst.” The word midst in the original Greek is a rare find in the New Testament. It only shows up twice, the other place being Matthew 23:26. The other translation of the word we can use is: within or inside. This is how it used in Matthew, and is the more common use in ancient, non-biblical Greek texts.

Notice how the two translation options impact the statement of Jesus. If it is midst, the meaning is obvious: the Kingdom of God is the midst of the Pharisees because Jesus is in their midst. Wherever Jesus is at, the Kingdom is found. Makes sense. But if we apply the other translated word to the verse (within or inside), it reveals something completely different. Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God cannot be observed because as a “place” or “location” because the place and location is within us, and perhaps a statement foreshadowing the Holy Spirit residing within us.

So which translation is better? That’s the beautiful paradox because both are true. Even as we find ourselves facing the prospect of medical quarantine and social distancing in the midst of a world caught up in upheaval, we are not alone and in isolation. The Kingdom of God is coming because we know Jesus is coming back…but we don’t need to search for it, because it is already here, for it within us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us a healthy dose of your peace in these uncertain times. Forgive us for trying to find signs of your kingdom by looking around us, instead of within us. May we take this opportunity to go deeper with you and receive your love. Amen.