Posts Tagged ‘kingdom’

Being followers of Jesus is a community activity. Even the Lord’s Prayer demonstrates the plurality of our walk; let us follow Him together.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Matthew 6:9b-13 (ESV)

 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44 (ESV)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV)

 Those two short parables, told by Jesus, indicate the extreme value attributed to the kingdom of heaven. Just recognizing that God’s Kingdom is a treasure, a pearl of great price, isn’t enough. Are we willing to pursue the kingdom of heaven at all costs? What are we holding on to as valuable in competition with the kingdom? Are we attempting to straddle the fence and pursue the kingdom at some reduced rate? Are we hoping to acquire the treasure without total commitment?

 Surrounding the parable of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price, you will find an explanation of the parable of weeds and the parable of a great catch of good and bad fish. In both of these parables Scripture states that the Son of Man will send his angels to separate the evil from the righteous and cast the evil into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Can we claim conclusively that we are seeking the kingdom first and foremost, or are we just weeds planted in the same field as the seed sown by the Son of Man? Are we willing to sell all that we have in recognition of the value of the hidden treasure, or are we just bad fish hanging out in the net with the righteous? Let’s be willing to go all the way!

Luke 6:45 reminds us that what is in our hearts will overflow in our speech. If Scripture is true (and it is) then the conversations that continue to crop up regarding sports, politics, business, family, and even church seem to indicate that we place greater importance on a myriad of other subjects and systems than we do on seeking the Kingdom of God. As I listen to the passion demonstrated regarding all of these man-centered systems, please forgive me if I am misreading words and not seeing the heart of the matter. I am reminded of Psalm 115:8 and Psalm 135:18 and Isaiah 44:9; the context of these verses discusses the futility of human effort in the making of alternatives to God (making idols). “Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” “Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”  And finally, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.” What are we treasuring in our hearts? What does the evidence of our words indicate about our heart’s overflow? Can we identify and cast down the idols in our own lives? God forgive us and continue to change us into Your likeness.

 Merry Christmas, from Tony

During His sermon on the mount, Jesus exhorts us to “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.”  James tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. The author of Hebrews proclaims, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (NIV)

Do we believe in the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us enough to earnestly seek Him? Do we believe in the faithful and just God that chooses to forgive and cleanse us and declare us righteous? Or are we like the voice from Psalm 10:4 who in his pride  does not seek Him;  in all his thoughts there is no room for God?