Seeking the Kingdom

I'm reading Cahill's book: The Desire of the Everlasting Hills ~ The World Before and After Jesus

Cahill writes . . . ‘the radical society of friends, of free and equal men and women, that came forth from the side of the crucified (an earlier reference to the blood and water that poured out of Jesus as the spear went into his side - the blood and water, the Lord's supper and baptism) was quickly overwhelmed by ancient patriarchy and has been overwhelmed in every era since by the social and political forms of the age’ (pg. 303).

I remember Bishop Peter Storey from South Africa speaking to a group about injustice and systemic sin - I believe 'Prophetic Evangelism' was the topic and a pastor questioned how we can take a swing at this injustice and root it out. Bishop Storey said that if there ever was a denomination modeled after coorportate America it is the United Methodist Church, he then motioned to a number of District Superintendents in the room and said, 'My students are afraid of you.' (Bishop Story was a visiting professor at Duke Seminary). He then suggested that we start with our own house.

So much of Jesus' teachings had to do with the use of power: "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod" (Mark 8:15). Caution against religious and political power. Good grief we need to hear this today.