The Radical Revolutionary

Andre P. Llewellyn©2010
 The KINGDOM OF GOD
A RADICAL MOVEMENT
At the very beginning of Jesus ministry
he preaches the message of the
Kingdom of God. It is a movement
where Jehovah is reclaiming the „whole
world‟ as his own, through his Messiah.
So He spearheads God's kingdom
movement that is radical,
revolutionary and is rejected by
many.
The Kingdom of God

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in

the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven/God is near.” Matt. 3;1 -2
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of
God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Mark 1;15
The Kingdom of God

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he

gave them power and authority to drive out all
demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them
out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the
sick. Luke 9;1-2
COME FOLLOW MY RELIGION
CHRISTIANITY ?
The Kingdom of God

Jesus wasn‟t starting a new religion. This

radical movement;
a. Starts with Jews [Jesus & his disciples]
b. Directs allegiance to the Jewish God
c. Is rooted in Jewish expectation & tradition
d. Functions within Jewish religious practices.
 The KINGDOM OF GOD
A REVOLUTIONARY MESSAGE
REDEFINITION OF
HOLINESS
TABLE FELLOWSHIP AND HOLINESS
In seeking to redefine what holiness and
purity really meant, Jesus directly
challenged one of the most common
social practices by his dining practices
and the choice of people he ate with.
Who were his table companions and what
was wrong with his table etiquette?
“The Pharisees and some of the teachers
of the law who had come from
Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and
saw some of his disciples eating food
with hands that were "unclean," that is,
unwashed. " Mk. 7;1-2
 “So the Pharisees and teachers of the
law asked Jesus, "Why don't your
disciples live according to the tradition
of the elders instead of eating their food
with 'unclean' hands? " Mk. 7;5
 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's
house, many tax collectors and "sinners"
were eating with him and his disciples,
for there were many who followed him. "
Mk. 2;15
 “When Jesus reached the spot, he
looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus,
come down immediately. I must stay at
your house today." Lk. 19;5
 “Now the tax collectors and "sinners"
were all gathering around to hear him.
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the
law muttered, "This man welcomes
sinners and eats with them." Lk. 15;1-2
 “The Son of Man came eating and
drinking, and they say, 'Here is a
glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and "sinners.” Matt. 11;19
TABLE FELLOWSHIP AND HOLINESS
Why did Jesus‟ table practice invite such
sharp hostility among his Jewish
opponents and what does his table
fellowship have to do with Holiness and
the Kingdom of God ?
Fellowship around meals symbolized
social relationships - it meant intimate
fellowship based on honour and trust.
From a religious standpoint it symbolized
holy separation and purity to God. Jesus‟
actions were seen as sacrilegious, and
violations of Jewish social and
ceremonial codes.
 TABLE FELLOWSHIP AND HOLINESS
Jesus‟ actions were deliberate „action
parables‟ aimed at defining the true
meaning of holiness.
1. Purity is about inward condition.
Religious and social traditions do not
make someone holy.

2. True holiness means connecting and

restoring those considered
„unrighteous‟.
REDEFINITION OF
HOPE
The Jews expected the Messiah to establish
a physical Kingdom that would overthrow
Roman rule, and secure political and
religious freedom. Therefore, to the average
Jew, Jesus' actions and teachings
regarding the Kingdom did not fit such a
blueprint.
Thus John‟s the Baptist‟s doubts -

“…Calling two of them, he sent them to

the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who was
to come, or should we expect someone
else?" Lk. 7;18-19
The Pharisee’s misconception -

“Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does

not come with your careful observation,
nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it
is,' because the kingdom of God is within
you." Lk. 17;20-21
The Crowd’s misconception -
“The crowd was listening to everything
Jesus said. And because he was nearing
Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct
the impression that the Kingdom of God
would begin right away.” Lk. 19;11
Undoubtedly, because of his radical
actions many Jews saw Jesus as a rebel
and a liar teaching falsely about the
Kingdom. But what was a bigger slap in the
face of the Jewish leaders was that Jesus
taught that the Kingdom of God was not an
exclusive club. Everyone had Hope of
entering the Kingdom of God!
“…many will come from the east and the
west, and will take their places at the feast
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the
kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of
the kingdom will be thrown
outside…”Matt. 8;11-12
 "Therefore I tell you that the
kingdom of God will be taken away
from you and given to a people
who will produce its fruit.
Matt. 21:43
Jesus‟ revolutionary message of hope was
aimed at showing Israel that –

1. Their hope does not lie in a physical

kingdom but a spiritual one where
resistance to Rome was to be replaced
by love and prayer. That the enemy
was not Rome rather it was sin.
2. Gentile‟s racial identity is no automatic
bar from the kingdom, and that their
Jewish identity is no guarantee of
entering the kingdom. That faith in Him
is the means of entry John 3;16.