Kingdom of Heaven

 April 25 – The Kingdom of Heaven

       Psalm 145:10-13 – "...your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations."

       Psalm 145 is very interesting, as the above verses are not referencing the physical nation of Israel, nor even the iteration of the limited kingdom after the return from exile (Psalm 107-150 are in the last of the five "books" of Psalms, which are generally thought to be from the post-exile period). This psalm is a pre-cursor to the teaching of Jesus about the kingdom of God, which is so prevalent in his words. The very first thing we hear publicly from Jesus is that the kingdom of God is near, and that we should change our minds regarding it (Mark 1:15). The people of Israel had been looking for the kingdom for over 500 years, since Jerusalem was sacked, the majority taken into exile, and the remnant no longer an independent dynasty but an occupied people (with possibly a small exception in the 2^nd century BC). Therefore, when a powerful prophet appears during Rome's rulership of Palestine, people get excited about a much-anticipated King.

       Jesus gives several stories about what the kingdom of God/heaven is like, all having disguises of some sort, so that the kingdom itself is not in plain view. Then, in Luke 17:21 Jesus plainly states, when the Pharisees point-blank ask him when the kingdom of God is coming, that the kingdom of God is not readily visible, but that it is WITHIN us. Also, right before the crucifixion of Jesus, he tells Pilate that "My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest from the Jews; my kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36)

       Jesus is teaching us that his kingdom is one that comes within us, changing us from the inside out, and thus influencing the world around us. It is a spiritual kingdom that will never end (unlike the physical kingdom of Israel, which did practically end in 70 AD). I believe this intimation is what Jesus means when he taught us to pray, "let your kingdom come; let your will be done as it is done in heaven (God's abode)". Why would Jesus have us ask the Father to bring the kingdom physically if it were already eventually going to come (as may be intimated in Revelation 20:5-6)? Even if it does come physically to this earth, Jesus' teaching that we pray for it to come has to include our part in wanting God to work his leaven within us spiritually, HERE and NOW, not then and later.

       So, my task is to show his spiritual kingdom as being glorious, because it is. God's ways working in and through us, should guide us into displaying what utopia looks like, even as we live in a sinful and physical dystopia.

       Check out the parables of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13.

 February 21 – Faithful in the Small Things

       Luke 19:13-17: "So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work, until I come back', he said....Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'"

       I have been a professional tennis fan for many years, following the careers and even personal lives of those playing the game. I have often prayed for these people to find the true meaning of life. At the 2021 Australian Open final in Melbourne, the runner-up mentioned in his speech that he had met the winner some twelve years earlier as a pre-teen at some tournament. The winner had treated him well, and conversed with him naturally, showing an interest in the younger, burgeoning player. This surprised the pre-teen, and made quite an impression upon him, seeing that a sports celebrity took the time to engage him in talking about life. At the speech, the runner-up praised the winner by showing his respect for him, due to his good off-court demeanor in years past.

       Many years ago, I worked with a sweet young woman at my clerical job. She was very nice, but was given over to excessive drinking and partying. I spoke to her occasionally about her need to surrender her sinful life to her heavenly Father, who could change her from the inside out. I then went about, living a righteous witness, day after day, working beside her. A few years later, she left our workplace to become a hair stylist. I would occasionally visit her business to get my hair cut, and continue my small faithful witness to her. I eventually lost contact with her, as she moved on again. Some time after that, I randomly ran in to her; she told me that she had become a Christian, and was learning to follow Jesus. She remembered aloud my faithful witness to her.

       Both of these stories show the importance of faithful living, keeping in mind that a change in someone's life often does not come at once, but after planting and watering seeds. God is then able to make new life sprout, due to all working together. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)