Matthew 13: 44-46 (The Message)
44 "God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic - what a find! - and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. 45 "Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. 46 Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.”
The Kingdom of God seems terribly insignificant and insufficient in the affairs of the world,
yet it has the dynamics that can make the difference even in our world.
That dynamic is the love of God as known in Jesus Christ. A love which is individual and universal. “If Christianity doesn’t begin with the individual it doesn’t begin; but if it ends with the individual, it ends.”
An illustration of how insignificant the Kingdom can seem to be comes from Dr. Thielicke, a German theologian in the WWII years:
“When I became a pastor and conducted my first Bible study hour I went into it with the determination to trust in Jesus’ saying, ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and earth.’
I said those words to myself in order to assure myself that even Hitler, who was then in the saddle, and his dreadful power machine were merely puppets hanging by strings in the hands of this mighty Lord. And in this Bible study hour I was faced with two very old ladies and a still older organist. Outside marched the battalions of youth who were subject to an altogether different lord. This was what God had to set before me on that evening. What did God have to offer anyway? And if it really were nothing more than this--then isn’t God refuted by this utterly miserable response?” p.62 The Waiting Father
It seems so, and yet today Nazi Germany is a thing of the past and God’s kingdom is still very much a part of the dynamics of our lives and our world. And we are called to put it first in our lives. Which means, in the words of the Prophet Micah to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.” 6:8
A timely message for us today! A strong reminder that it is ‘’… not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums, but deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.”
(Hymn:Lead On, O King Eternal)
And it comes as we cherish the kingdom of God enough to put it first in our lives.
In our actions which speak louder than words. In our waking and our sleeping and all that happens between! Even in our voting, which has much to do with how the kingdom of God comes in our world!
“If Christianity doesn’t begin with the
individual it doesn’t begin;
but if it ends with the individual, it ends.”
Prayer thought for the week: “Lord, ‘Thy Kingdom come on earth…’ and let it come through me.”
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