I visited a Hutterite colony for the first time in the summer of 2008. This was after I had already visited an Amish community in the United States. The Amish town that I visited committed to a Community of Goods. This sort of execution can be called Partial Community. The Hutterites however, executed a Community of Goods and also pertained to the Full Community. The Hutterites are the oldest group out of the Anabaptists. They were also the most persecuted and the most tormented out the Anabaptist groups. They also have had the most recent Martyr. Most recently (Early 20th Century) they had faced persecution and had to relocate to Canada.
Because of this prior knowledge, I was quite nervous before getting to meet them. According the information I had and from what I was informed, the Hutterites were very radical and an extreme group of people. But fortunately, they were quite easy to get along with and as I was staying with them, I could feel what the real communion described in John was like. They were really beautiful people.
It was late into the evening when I got down with the First Minister (he could be called as the pastor, but a 1st minister's job description is different compared to the modern church). Since he was quite busy with the fields, he was responsible for vegetable fields and as a result he was the busiest during the summer. Only after he was done that I got around to speaking with him about the Bible.
While we were deep into our conversation about obeying Christ, he had brought out a very old Bible from his room and placed it on top of the table. I was quite taken by how his rough farmer hands had held the old Bible. It was as if I could see the sufferings of his forefathers through the old handed down Bible, and his labored hands were showing their proof of complete obedience to their faith.
His hard labored hands were the hands that upheld his faith! It painted a beautiful picture.
That was when I questioned myself. What did I come here to see? Was it to see people in fine clothing? People holding their bibles with soft and pretty hands? Or well educated people who bury themselves in their elegance and urban middle class?
Matthew 11:8
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 11:9
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
Those who follow and heed to Gospel are all beautiful. The hands of those who live through rough labour for Kingdom of God and discipleship are all dazzling and fascinating to me. Showing such faith and obedience to the Gospel.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
What’s being told here is that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In other words, it is in God's reign and only those take God’s reign fully in their life are able to live there. That this is the Kingdom of God. And this Kingdom should be expanded all across.
Original Text: http://jungwonyang.com/post/Msg1014