We think we know how we should live and organise ourselves in society, but Jesus always turns our expectations upside down. He is the Revolution, and the kingdom of God is revolutionary. The attitude of revolution in the kingdom is humility before God and service to others.

This week's news

Russell Brand has been on all the talk shows this week promoting his new book Revolution. It is, surprisingly, an attempt at a spiritual answer to the world’s problems, with a chapter on The Lord’s Prayer, but it misses the point because of Brand’s own arrogance. For all that, there may be something here that we need to listen to – Brand’s anger is real, and he represents the feelings of a younger generation. Just scroll down to the customer reviews. 

Reviews include The Guardian and the Daily Mail.

Brand calls on people to join the revolution on YouTube. 

And there is the Jeremy Paxman interview. 

The Moth is a book of true stories published in Britain three months ago, arising from a story-telling movement that has recently migrated from the USA. It contains a lovely story by Dr George Lombardi about the time he treated Mother Teresa in Calcutta. The substance can be found here, though reading or hearing Lombardi’s own account is much more vivid. This story is helpful in this context because it is about faithful service and humility. 

Reflection

The kingdom of God is what happens when we live with God in charge. It affects every part of our lives, every day, at every level. What does the world look like when God is in charge?

The Pharisees were truly and honestly seeking holiness, but Jesus says they got it wrong.

It is easy to see the places where the kingdom of God has broken down and gone wrong. It doesn’t look like the: