A call to a Peaceful Revolution

Jesus came and proclaimed good news about the Kingdom of Heaven. He himself spoke constantly about this and he told his followers to go everywhere and tell people about this kingdom of heaven. When he began his ministry his first TedTalk was about the Kingdom of Heaven. Matt 5:3-10:

“God blesses those who are poor in spirit,

for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are humble,

for they will inherit the whole earth.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,

for they will be satisfied.

God blesses those who are merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure,

for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace,

for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,

for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Jesus bookends this section of his talk with "the Kingdom of heaven is theirs", but in between is the bookends he is calling for a revolution of peace. During the Vietnam war some of those against the war were called "passivists". The word is unfortunate and inaccurate, because those who bore the label aggressively organized, protested, sat in, were arrested, got out, repeated... They were anything BUT passive. Some were labeled "Peaceniks", which is by far a better label, because they were promoting peace.  

Is Jesus calling people to a revolution or just encouraging the downtrodden? If Jesus is just encouraging the downtrodden with some pie in the sky promise about the kingdom of heaven - then I'm not impressed. Is he saying "I know life is shit storm now, but don't worry the Kingdom of Heaven will make you forget all of this"? Is he saying "I know you're poor, your life is full of sorrow, you are oppressed and there is no justice to be found in this life, you might be persecuted and robbed, even killed, but that's okay - cuz in heaven you'll have a reward"? Is that what this is all about?  I don't think so.

I hear in Jesus' words a call to arms, a call to action, peaceful action, aggressive peaceful action. I believe he is calling people to a life of service: humble, painful, merciful service to others in the name of Jesus. I think he is prepping his followers to go out and serve the poor, the downtrodden, the mourners, those who suffer injustice, who need mercy, who are mired in conflict. As they enter the arena the powers that be will hate them, despise them, oppose them, persecute them and kill them. But that's okay because "the kingdom of heaven is theirs". 

I still don't have a clue as to what this "Kingdom of Heaven" is. I guess I don't have to worry about that - I guess I should worry about becoming the kind of person described by Jesus words: poor in spirit, pure in heart. I should focus on becoming someone who hungers and thirsts for justice, not just for myself but for others, who shows mercy to others, who works for peace, and gets the shit kicked out me for doing so. That would be way better than getting the shit kicked out of you for doing evil, and hurting others. 

I guess Jesus is calling for a revolution of the soul, the inner man - this is probably why I stopped reading the Bible - it always kicks my ass.