The Roman emperor Constantine sought to establish his own kingdom by warring in Jesus’ name, (becoming the father of christian-nationalism), seeking to make the Kingdom of God the same as his own kingdom, and having the church keep him in power. Jesus wept and the church became confused about its mission. Jesus refused and refuses to establish His kingdom by armaments. His model for us is the establishment of His kingdom by suffering love. Jesus could have called for a star-wars angelic battle, out weaponizing anything this earth could muster. He did not use it, and in the greatest mystery of history, He conquered evil by letting it spend itself on Him. By death He trampled down death, by suffering love He redeemed sinners and stripped Satan of power and control over creation and began to take it back, establishing the one enduring kingdom. As Christians, we must return to cruciform living and dying, by this we are in solidarity with Christ’s suffering love and His way of doing and being the kingdom.
“A large crowd with swords and clubs…came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:47a, 50b-53 (NASB)
