Psalm 2:7-11

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” vss. 8-9

The psalmist believed that the answer to the world’s problems was a strong king and a powerful army. Israel’s anointed, the newly crowned ruler, would bring the nations to their knees and God’s kingdom would be established. Our history tells us that such theocratic rule just doesn’t work. In fact when states begin to see themselves as the instruments of God’s holy intentions the results are horrendous and the wars even more vicious. Through the centuries such crusades and holy wars have had a devastating effect. The resulting inquisitions and persecutions have meant the slaughter of countless innocents. Followers of Jesus have believed that he pointed to another way, a kingdom based on forgiveness and love, and not on military force. Indeed, Jesus as God’s anointed, has already established such a kingdom. It can be seen in every corner of our world and can be experienced wherever we encounter the gentle, caring presence of his servants. Those servants live in communities of faith where they stand ready to reach out to lift up the fallen and bring healing to the broken. These islands of light in our world of darkness are the very presence of the Christ, our one true source of hope!

Thought for the Day: Why are theocracies so dangerous?