Matthew 19:23-30
Jesus makes the statement twice, almost word for word, that it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. In fact, he says, it is easier for a camel to be threaded through the needle's eye than for a rich person to enter the kingdom. This shocks the disciples because they live in a world, much like ours, where everything is easier for the rich. If it is so hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom, then it must be even more impossible for anyone else to enter the kingdom. Being so insulated by the Christian culture - which is too often a mix of Christian language and worldly values - in which I grew up, I don' t think I fully understand the impact of Jesus' statements. However, those who recognize their poverty would feel the impact. They would realize more fully how the values of the kingdom are so opposite those of the world. In the kingdom humility is honoured over ambition, money doesn't count for much and servants are more important than kings.
It seems like one of Jesus' favourite statements about the kingdom is that the first will be last and the last will be first in the kingdom of heaven. I don't think I fully grasp how different the values of the kingdom are. I think I have adopted too much of the worldly values and applied them to the kingdom. I think I have ignored the clear teaching of Jesus because it is so hard to believe in light of everything else the world is teaching. I wonder where I am missing the teaching of Jesus and the treue values of the kingdom because I am seeing them through the lens of the values of the world.
Showing posts with label kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kingdom. Show all posts
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Kingdom divided or Kingdom Come?
Matthew 12:22-32
This is a bit longer section than I normally like to do but I think that it contains all one thought. Jesus has been healing people of their diseases and infirmities but now a man who is demon possessed is brought to him. Jesus casts out the demon to the amazement of the audience however the Pharisees attribute his power to the power of Satan. Jesus then contrasts the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God and the power of Satan to the power of the Holy Spirit (who is a key part of this passage). He uses two word pictures: that of a kingdom or household divided and that of an invasion of a strong man's house. The first word picture is to show that a kingdom that is divided cannot survive so it makes no logical sense that Satan would send Jesus to cast out demons. The second word picture makes the point that the only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man fights him. The message is that if Jesus has been sent as a servant of Satan then he must be less powerful than Satan. However, Jesus is casting out demons which makes him stronger than Satan and not his servant, as the Pharisees were suggesting.
It is in this context that Jesus speaks the applicational point: just as the kingdom of evil cannot be divided , the kingdom of God is not divided. There is only one King and one Lord and everyone who is not with Him is against Him. There is no room in the kingdom for rebellion against the King. The most difficult concept in this entire teaching is the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. In the context, it could be attributing the work of God to the power of the devil (which is what the Pharisees were doing). I have tended towards this interpretation and also tend to think that this was an unforgiveable sin for the generation to whom Jesus was speaking. However, the immediate context makes me think that blasphemy against the Spirit could be the equivalent of rebellion against the King.
Whatever the case, there are two things I am sure of: I must be careful about to whom I give credit for what is going on in the world. I don't want to speak against any work of God by saying that has been done in the power of the devil. At the same time, I must be very careful that the work I do and am a part of is done according to the King's agenda, character and guidance.
This is a bit longer section than I normally like to do but I think that it contains all one thought. Jesus has been healing people of their diseases and infirmities but now a man who is demon possessed is brought to him. Jesus casts out the demon to the amazement of the audience however the Pharisees attribute his power to the power of Satan. Jesus then contrasts the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God and the power of Satan to the power of the Holy Spirit (who is a key part of this passage). He uses two word pictures: that of a kingdom or household divided and that of an invasion of a strong man's house. The first word picture is to show that a kingdom that is divided cannot survive so it makes no logical sense that Satan would send Jesus to cast out demons. The second word picture makes the point that the only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man fights him. The message is that if Jesus has been sent as a servant of Satan then he must be less powerful than Satan. However, Jesus is casting out demons which makes him stronger than Satan and not his servant, as the Pharisees were suggesting.
It is in this context that Jesus speaks the applicational point: just as the kingdom of evil cannot be divided , the kingdom of God is not divided. There is only one King and one Lord and everyone who is not with Him is against Him. There is no room in the kingdom for rebellion against the King. The most difficult concept in this entire teaching is the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. In the context, it could be attributing the work of God to the power of the devil (which is what the Pharisees were doing). I have tended towards this interpretation and also tend to think that this was an unforgiveable sin for the generation to whom Jesus was speaking. However, the immediate context makes me think that blasphemy against the Spirit could be the equivalent of rebellion against the King.
Whatever the case, there are two things I am sure of: I must be careful about to whom I give credit for what is going on in the world. I don't want to speak against any work of God by saying that has been done in the power of the devil. At the same time, I must be very careful that the work I do and am a part of is done according to the King's agenda, character and guidance.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
the disciples' practicum
Matthew 10:5-15
Jesus gives three basic instructions to his 12 disciples before he sends them out:
- go to the lost sheep of Israel, not to the Gentiles or Samaritans.
- preach "the kingdom of heaven has come near" and back it up with miracles.
- rely on others (and, by doing so, on God) to provide your basic needs.
At first, relying on others to provide for basic needs seems like the hardest thing to do but, as I think about it, backing up the message of the kingdom with miracles would also be very difficult. I can imagine the adrenaline rush as the disciple finishes his message with, "and to prove that what I am saying is true, I am now going to restore the sight of this blind man..." all the while wondering if it is going to work and realizing what a fool he will look like if it doesn't.
The character of God is revealed in this passage in the promised judgement on those towns and cities that would not welcome the disciples. Jesus says that it would be worse for them than it was for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement. This, in conjunction with Jesus' teaching in chapter 18 (not offending little ones) and chapter 29 (whatever you have done for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine) shows me that God takes hospitality very seriously. He is a God who welcomes people in. Am I revealing that part of God's character?
Jesus gives three basic instructions to his 12 disciples before he sends them out:
- go to the lost sheep of Israel, not to the Gentiles or Samaritans.
- preach "the kingdom of heaven has come near" and back it up with miracles.
- rely on others (and, by doing so, on God) to provide your basic needs.
At first, relying on others to provide for basic needs seems like the hardest thing to do but, as I think about it, backing up the message of the kingdom with miracles would also be very difficult. I can imagine the adrenaline rush as the disciple finishes his message with, "and to prove that what I am saying is true, I am now going to restore the sight of this blind man..." all the while wondering if it is going to work and realizing what a fool he will look like if it doesn't.
The character of God is revealed in this passage in the promised judgement on those towns and cities that would not welcome the disciples. Jesus says that it would be worse for them than it was for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement. This, in conjunction with Jesus' teaching in chapter 18 (not offending little ones) and chapter 29 (whatever you have done for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine) shows me that God takes hospitality very seriously. He is a God who welcomes people in. Am I revealing that part of God's character?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door...
Matthew 7:7-12
This section includes a list of actions and results: ask = receive, seek = find and, knock = door opens. Just to be sure we get it, Jesus repeats the same thing in very slightly different words. The section also includes a word picture of a father and son. Jesus asks if a dad would give his son a stone when he asks for some break or a snake when he asks for a fish. The metaphor is that God, our Father, will give us, his sons and daughters, good gifts.
I do wonder how this part fits under the thesis statement for Jesus' sermon: "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Maybe Jesus is saying that entering the kingdom will be a process of seeking and asking. It might be a long process but we can be sure that our Father, who is better than any earthly father, will give us the good gift of finding the kingdom of heaven if we continue to ask, seek and knock. However, even in this section of the sermon, it seems to be pretty loosely held together because Jesus' conclusion is, "therefore in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Which tells me that this section is actually about loving your neighbour as yourself which is really hard to tie into "ask, seek, knock".
I am learning more and more about the kingdom of heaven. I am learning that it is not just a matter of me having a restored relationship with God but it is helping to extend his right to rule over every area of creation: in my relationships with others, in issues of justice and mercy and in issues of looking after the environment. This is a huge task but as I continue to ask God for his help and for his kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, seek justice and mercy and knock down opposition through prayer and effort then I can be sure that God will give the good gift of his kingdom. I pray that I will not get tired of doing the good work that God has called me to do and that I would not move forward on my own wisdom and power but in God's.
This section includes a list of actions and results: ask = receive, seek = find and, knock = door opens. Just to be sure we get it, Jesus repeats the same thing in very slightly different words. The section also includes a word picture of a father and son. Jesus asks if a dad would give his son a stone when he asks for some break or a snake when he asks for a fish. The metaphor is that God, our Father, will give us, his sons and daughters, good gifts.
I do wonder how this part fits under the thesis statement for Jesus' sermon: "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Maybe Jesus is saying that entering the kingdom will be a process of seeking and asking. It might be a long process but we can be sure that our Father, who is better than any earthly father, will give us the good gift of finding the kingdom of heaven if we continue to ask, seek and knock. However, even in this section of the sermon, it seems to be pretty loosely held together because Jesus' conclusion is, "therefore in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Which tells me that this section is actually about loving your neighbour as yourself which is really hard to tie into "ask, seek, knock".
I am learning more and more about the kingdom of heaven. I am learning that it is not just a matter of me having a restored relationship with God but it is helping to extend his right to rule over every area of creation: in my relationships with others, in issues of justice and mercy and in issues of looking after the environment. This is a huge task but as I continue to ask God for his help and for his kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, seek justice and mercy and knock down opposition through prayer and effort then I can be sure that God will give the good gift of his kingdom. I pray that I will not get tired of doing the good work that God has called me to do and that I would not move forward on my own wisdom and power but in God's.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Consumed
This was done Feb. 19 but I didn't have access to the internet
1 Timothy 4:15-16
Paul told Timothy to give himself wholly to setting an example for the believers, to reading Scripture publicly, to teaching and preaching and to using his gift. This was what was to consume Timothy’s life. As I look at the list, it seems pretty broad and overwhelming to me. I am the type of person that needs one thing to focus on. This, especially when I look at all the things that Timothy was supposed to set an example in, is a very long list of things. Far be it from me to disagree with Paul (there’s no sense in arguing with an inspired writer of Scripture) but I think I prefer Jesus’ priority: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. All of these things that Paul tells Timothy to devote his life to fall into the category of the kingdom of God and His righteousness but I like the single minded focus of Jesus’ teaching. This gives me something to measure my life against: does this promote the kingdom of God or God’s righteousness in my life? I really want that to consume my life!
1 Timothy 4:15-16
Paul told Timothy to give himself wholly to setting an example for the believers, to reading Scripture publicly, to teaching and preaching and to using his gift. This was what was to consume Timothy’s life. As I look at the list, it seems pretty broad and overwhelming to me. I am the type of person that needs one thing to focus on. This, especially when I look at all the things that Timothy was supposed to set an example in, is a very long list of things. Far be it from me to disagree with Paul (there’s no sense in arguing with an inspired writer of Scripture) but I think I prefer Jesus’ priority: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. All of these things that Paul tells Timothy to devote his life to fall into the category of the kingdom of God and His righteousness but I like the single minded focus of Jesus’ teaching. This gives me something to measure my life against: does this promote the kingdom of God or God’s righteousness in my life? I really want that to consume my life!
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