Covenant and Kingdom: Embracing Our Role as Christ’s Betrothed Emissaries

Intro.

Our exploration of Christian theology uncovers a profound mystery at the crossroads of divine knowledge and human experience. This sacred enigma, comparable to the union of a bride and groom, reveals the depth of our relationship with God. While the cadence of this discourse may echo that of a sermon, the intent behind these words is to gently open our hearts to the intimate daily interactions desired by our Lord and Savior. It is in the everyday ebb and flow of life that this article seeks to soften our approach, guiding us into a closer walk with the divine, harmonized with the subtle yet profound ways God weaves into our journey.

Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!" - Matt. 7:23

Divine Knowledge and Restraint

Through the imperfect yet instructive lens of marital discourse, I've come to understand that arguments with my spouse often stem from deeper issues rooted in our individual histories. Unearthing these foundational causes requires a careful and delicate approach. To foster unity within the covenant of marriage, my bride and I realize that it necessitates honest, open, and transparent communication. In such a space, we can jointly deconstruct and examine our worldviews.

This process isn't about assigning blame or claiming victory in being right—though I must confess, I have occasionally succumbed to the temptation of asserting my correctness, only to realize that this approach undermines the very fabric of understanding we've woven together. In those moments, we have to start anew, rebuilding the safety that was momentarily lost.

Imagine if I possessed the ability to read my spouse's mind: rather than fostering love, I'd inadvertently step into the realm of deceit and manipulation. Having the upper hand in every situation, I could easily manipulate outcomes to favor my desires, bypassing the genuine exchange of hearts—a conversation where each voice is heard and each longing is met with empathy and synchronized with mutual affection.

This anecdote, while imperfect due to our human flaws, mirrors the divine choice to allow for volitional love rather than omnipotent determinism. If God chose to exert His omniscience without restraint, our relationship with Him could not be one of love but of divine puppetry. Instead, He invites us into a relationship marked by the freedom to express our innermost selves—reflecting His desire for a communion with humanity that is both genuine and voluntary. Let there be no misunderstanding: the invitation is voluntary—God's will shall manifest on Earth with or without our assent, but the choice to partake in the joy of His will is ours to make.

So Yeshua said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing by Myself. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things.' - Jn. 8:28

Redemption and Ongoing Suffering

The journey of redemption often mirrors the intimate complexities of our personal lives. Just as in marriage, where shared moments of vulnerability can unearth the deep-seated roots of our personal histories, our spiritual walk with Christ invites us into a similar depth of shared experience. It prompts a poignant question: Why does His Bride partake in His suffering? Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, illuminates this mystery, suggesting that our Lord purifies His Bride for His return (Eph. 5:25-27). I believe these momentary afflictions, this shared suffering, are a divine conduit for feeling truly understood by Yeshua—a profound testament to His humanity interwoven with His divinity.

Reflecting on this, we see that honest and open communication—where worldviews are unraveled and vulnerabilities are exposed—becomes the cornerstone of unity within the covenant of marriage. Similarly, our spiritual covenant with Christ calls us to a communion where our hardships are not merely our own; they are shared with and felt by our Savior.

This understanding necessitates a shift in the Church's approach to prayer. It's not solely about presenting requests or praises; it's about synchronizing our hearts with God’s, understanding His heartaches, and aligning our desires with His overarching purpose. In this act of spiritual communion, just as spouses listen and respond to each other's unspoken (and spoken) needs, we learn to listen and respond to the whispers of God's heart. Such a shift in our prayer life has the power to transform our relationship with God, fostering a bond characterized by profound empathy and deepened understanding, as we partake in the full spectrum of our divine Bridegroom's experience.

Build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and have sons and daughters, take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf—for in its shalom you will have shalom. - Jer. 29:5-7

Living in Exile: The Path of Righteous Subversion

The Dilemma of Captivity: Rebellion, Assimilation, or Jeremiah’s Way

The journey through Scripture often presents us with narratives that challenge our understanding of God’s purposes in suffering. The exile of Israel into Babylon, as chronicled by Jeremiah, illustrates a profound response to divine discipline. Among the exiles, three distinct paths emerged: rebellion or disengagement; complete assimilation into Babylonian culture, including idol worship; and a 'third way,' as advocated by Jeremiah—a way neither of compromise nor revolt.

Jeremiah urged the Israelites to build lives in captivity, to pray for the prosperity of Babylon, and to seek its welfare, for in its peace, they would find their peace. This was a path of loyalty coupled with subversion, a non-violent resistance that did not compromise their identity. It’s within this context that we discern the lives of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who, while serving the Babylonian king and adopting outward cultural markers, never forsook their allegiance to YHWH. They critiqued Babylon's idolatry and injustice, and their faithful witness was vindicated by God.

This 'way of the exile' is a path of suffering, yet also of hope. These men never ceased to yearn for their homeland, and Daniel, through divine revelation, understood that their return to a liberated land would not occur in his lifetime. Yet, the promise of God's prevailing kingdom was a beacon of hope for the future.

The Legacy of Daniel: Subversive Faithfulness in a Foreign Land

Fast forward to the Roman occupation, a new 'Babylon,' during the time of Yeshua. Again, the people of Israel faced the temptation to resist, to assimilate, or to follow the third way. Yeshua rearticulated this path of subversive loyalty, teaching His disciples to love their enemies, return to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and reserve total allegiance for God alone. He challenged the religious leaders of His time, just as Daniel and his friends had done, and in His death and resurrection, YHWH vindicated Him as the awaited King—ushering in a Kingdom not yet fully realized.

As followers of Yeshua (whether Jewish, or a Gentile who has been "grafted-in" to this redemptive story), we now live in the tension of this 'exilic existence,' navigating a world that is not yet the fullness of the Kingdom He proclaimed. In this interim, we, the Bride of Christ, share in His suffering, embodying the third way that Yeshua Himself modeled—a way that engages with the world yet remains distinct within it. It is a path marked by a subversive faithfulness, where we seek the welfare of the communities we inhabit while our ultimate loyalty remains with God.

The way of the exile is a path that requires discernment and courage, calling us to confront idolatry, pride, and injustice, not through violence but through a commitment to live out the Kingdom values imparted by Christ. It is within this commitment that we find ourselves sharing in the suffering of Christ—suffering that arises not as a consequence of our own actions, but as a result of our alignment with the values of His coming Kingdom.

As Daniel and his friends lived out their faith in Babylon, and as the early disciples navigated the complexities of Roman rule, so are we called to live faithfully in our modern 'Babylons.' Whether in our workplaces, our communities, or our nations, we are to embody the Kingdom of God, working for peace and justice, and praying for the well-being of all, even as we anticipate the return of our Lord.

Christ's redemptive work invites us to respond to the sin around us—engaging with its consequences and working toward healing, forgiveness, and restoration within our culture. This mission is not about bearing the sins of the world, for Christ alone has done this, but about living out the grace and restoration He achieved. It reflects a partnership (Bride and Groom), where distinct roles unite in a shared vision. As we participate in this Kingdom work, we echo Christ's love and sacrifice, embodying the transformative hope He has set before us.

Now when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, so that they may be seen by men. Amen, I tell you, they have their reward! - Matt. 6:5

Praying with Sympathy for God

In the realm of prayer, our approach can often be transformed by looking to the examples set in the Scriptures. King David, in the Psalms, exemplifies a raw and honest dialogue with God. His prayers range from lamentations and pleas to expressions of deep joy and gratitude, revealing a heart fully open to God. David’s unmasked vulnerability in his communication with God demonstrates a profound level of intimacy and understanding, as if he is sharing in the very burdens of the Lord.

Similarly, Jesus taught His disciples to pray in a way that transcends mere ritual or request. The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in the Gospels, is a blueprint for aligning our desires with the will of God, seeking His kingdom, and depending on Him for our daily needs. This prayer invites us into a deeper relationship with the Father, echoing the trust and openness that David showed.

Furthermore, the episode in the Garden of Gethsemane provides a poignant example of praying with deep empathy and connection to God's will. Here, Jesus, in His moment of profound anguish, opens His heart fully to the Father, expressing His distress while ultimately submitting to God's plan. “Abba, Father,” He prayed, “everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36). In this intimate moment, Jesus exemplifies how our prayers can reflect a deep sharing in the emotional landscape of God, embracing both the struggles and joys of His plan for us. Moreover, his invitation extended to his disciples to see him in this state of vulnerability and invite them in it- this is pinnacle imagery for sharing in the burden of the Lord (especially with a prayer prayed that He knew could not be answered).

Incorporating these biblical examples into our prayer life encourages us not just to speak to God but to engage with Him empathetically, sharing in His joys and sorrows. It calls us to a level of spiritual intimacy where we can honestly express our deepest fears, hopes, and desires, while remaining attuned to the heart of God. This approach to prayer deepens our relationship with Him, fostering a connection that is both empathetic and profound.

Conclusion:

In our communion with the Lord, we are beckoned onto a path of profound authenticity, intertwining honesty, vulnerability, and courage with our daily walk. We, the collective Church—Jew and Gentile, unified in our faith in Messiah Yeshua—stand poised as His betrothed, yet active as Kingdom Emissaries. In this sacred role, we are called to a diplomatic journey, advocating for heavenly principles within earthly realms. It is a pilgrimage marked by purifying trials, but also by the joyful anticipation of His return. As we await the ultimate fulfillment of God's Kingdom, our lives bear witness to the transformative power of His love, a preview of the eternal union that awaits us with our returning King.