One of the glaring problems with social media is how disconnected we are in our interactions with others. What we see on social media can easily stoke and evoke and provoke us. It’s easy to misread and miss the actual people behind the screen, instead reducing them to abstractions and caricatures of the issues we are debating. Digital dialogue obscures the nuance of tone, inflection, and emotional expression that adds depth and evokes empathy in meaningful conversation.
 
Jesus had a high value for being with people, for seeing them and meeting them right where they were. That is one of the most significant aspects of the incarnation, of God entering into the full breadth of human experience. Jesus could’ve stayed hunkered down in one spot and people would’ve come to him, but he went into the messiness of communities, entered the brokenness of people’s lives, challenged tradition and cut through socio-economic, ethnic, and political boundaries – “the fullness of ‘God with us’ in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9; Matthew 1:23).
 
In Matthew 4:8-10, during his wilderness trial, on the outset of his public ministry, Jesus was presented with the opportunity to circumvent his mission to bring creation back under his rule and reign. Here, Satan “showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” stating, “All of this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” 
 
Jesus had the opportunity to avoid the hard work and messiness of humanity, suffering, and death. To instantly acquire earthly authority and dominion. Imagine the potential! He could use this earthly authority to end all violence, suffering, and injustice in swiftly bringing all under his benevolent rule.
 
As appealing of an offer that might have been, as pure as his desires and motives were, Jesus knew that Satan’s power over the kingdoms of this world was temporary and fleeting. He knew that the path to reclaim his rule and reign over creation wasn’t through power structures but relationship, not through force but service, not through affluence but presence, not through self-exaltation but humiliation, not through self-preservation but sacrifice.
 
Thankfully, Jesus responded, “No thank you, Satan, be on your way!”
 
As followers of Jesus, the kingdom of God is within us (Luke 17:20), both individually and collectively as the community of God’s people. It is here that we are subject to the rule and reign of Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, ministers of reconciliation, and peacemakers, wherever we are the kingdom of God is present (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Yet, we inhabit a tension between our sense of responsibility within the kingdoms of this world and our ultimate loyalty to the kingdom of God. We must remember that even the best forms of earthly rule are inherently flawed and incessantly seduced by greed and power. Emperor or senate, republican or democrat, socialism or democracy, all are subject to the corrupting dominion of Satan, sin, and death (Colossian 1:13).
 
In times of oppressive power and strife between earthly rulers we can anchor ourselves in the foundations of a truer kingdom, recalling our most basic calling in this world: to be and make disciples of Jesus. This is not a recoiling from the world but more fully entering into the messiness of it. This is not to brush aside the real issues and needs in our culture but a reconsideration of the means by which we approach these issues and seek solutions. Jesus brought about change as he often went out of his way to speak into, listen, touch, and heal the depravity and brokenness of others. There is reconciling power through personal presence.
 
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God”(Matthew 5:9).