As we approach Pentecost I was reminded this week that we literally cannot understand the message of Jesus without understanding the Kingdom of God.
The idea of the Kingdom of God is throughout the bible. From page one it talks about the rule and reign of God and God creates earthlings in his own image to be his emissaries, to rule and reign on his behalf.
Jesus launches his ministry in Mk 1:15 by declaring ‘the time (kairos) has been fulfilled
The Kingdom of God has arrived, change your mind and entrust’. Jesus goes on to mention the Kingdom fifty times.
We are taught to pray ‘your kingdom come, your will be done’
To me that is the ultimate expression of trust – to surrender my will and say to someone ‘you can rule over my life’
To modern culture this is the ultimate heresy. We believe we have a right to make ourselves in our own image. The idea that there is a way to be that is the right way has been rejected as untrustworthy moralism, something that denies the right to human flourishing. Who is God to define my identity or my purpose?
Like most of us I have some trust issues. I’m pretty cautious about awho I allow to rule over me. Which is why I’m glad I live in a half way functional democracy. Because albeit there being a some major shortcomings in its delivery, I am invited to occasionally have a say in who gets to rule and what sort of policies they will implement.
Jesus however declares we are to change our minds and trust in God. That he is holy and that we can trust that he loves us as a perfect father loves his children.
This is such a radical message that few take him on his word. We struggle to accept that anyone can be that good or that trustworthy and so we resort to running things our own way.
Jesus declares that it’s in the process of surrender and trust that we will find peace. But rather than repent and believe, we worry and we fret and we get anxious and afraid of all possible outcomes, desperately seeking ways to define our own identity rather than receive our identity from a loving Father who says ‘you are my child made in my image; my son, my daughter with whom I am pleased’.
Friends, as disciples of Jesus our job is to share this radically good news that the moment of opportunity is now. The Kingdom of God has arrived. Change your mind and entrust yourself to the perfect Father.
Take this moment to pray: ‘I believe I am made in the image of the perfect father, one who forgives my sins, who supplies all my daily needs, who leads and guides me and who delivers me from all evil.
For these are the words of the Lord’s Prayer..
Our Father, your name is holy
Your kingdom come, your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today all that we need
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
Lead us and guide us away from temptation
And deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For eternity.
Amen.
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