Sunday: The Mastery of Oppression
WEEK 48
SUNDAY
THE MASTERY OF OPPRESSION
Psalm 72:1-4
We must now look at another glorious mastery—the mastery of oppressive circumstances and oppressive authority.
The early Christian movement was caught between two millstones of oppressive authority: the authority of its own religious hierarchy, which controlled secular authority; and the authority of the empire of Rome. And these two millstones ground the Christians into flour, which became the bread of God to feed the nations. How did it happen? What was their secret?
This clash with oppressive authority is seen in these words:
After calling the apostles back, they had them beaten. They ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, then let them go. The apostles left the council rejoicing because they had been regarded as worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the name. Every day they continued to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ, both in the temple and in houses. (Acts 5:40-42)
The clash with authority was clear-cut and decisive, and their response was just as clear-cut and decisive. And they, who were underneath, came out on top. How?
The answer is simple. They lived under two authorities—the political and the spiritual—and decided the spiritual was supreme and ultimate and final. They would bend the knee there and nowhere else. They also lived under two regimes at once: one of insolent authority, the other the kingdom of God. So they decided to live in the internal climate and let the outer climate do what it would. They would live as much as possible on the outside without compromise, and for the rest they would live within. There they were safe.
That is the only possible remedy in many circumstances. Life is intolerable and impossible without. Therefore, the only thing to do is retreat within, build up a world of your own under God, and then move out from that secure inner citadel, working into the crevices of outer circumstances as best you can. This is important, for you mustn’t stay within, else you become ingrown and unsocial. You must work out from your inner security to the outer insecurities with God’s grace and power. Do your best and leave the rest.
Dear Jesus, life can become hard and cruel when we have to live alongside or under oppression. You know, for you went through it. Teach us your secret. In your name. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: In every situation I cannot change I shall build up an inner world where I shall live with God.