12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Violence seems to hang over the entire reign of Heaven. Jesus Christ comes humbly to his people. He offers them healing and strength. But hatred and evil seems to hang like a dark cloud over everything. The more people Jesus Christ heals and helps, the more people grow in violent intent toward Jesus.
John the Baptist is already now in prison suffering at the hands of Herod for proclaiming the truth. Soon Jesus himself will also be completely rejected by the people handed over to violent men. They will see him killed.
John the Baptist and Jesus Christ both came in vary different ways. They desired John to dance but it was not time for dancing. They desired Jesus to mourn but it was not time for mourning. John came to prepare us for Judgment Day. Jesus came as our bridegroom who cleanses us from our sins and saves us from their consequences.
God does this by means of violent men. These violent men seize him in order to prevent the reign of Heaven. They execute him upon a cross, which brings forth the Kingdom of Heaven. By violence God provides you with life everlasting.
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