If it was a snake it would have bit you! Ever heard that one? Those are the moments when I'm not feeling so sharp. Like standing in the kitchen looking for my glasses so that I can read the rest of the recipe. I look, and look... lifting this, peeking under that. Where did I Ieave them? My search may even lead me into another room only to be told, Mom, their on your head! Uh, yeah. Very glad it's not a snake. Sometimes I get most embarrassed by the things that should be the most obvious... those things right in front of my face. Fortunately, they are often only small things, and not noticed by so many people that it wrecks me. I can usually laugh it off. Not so, for our poor Pharisee friends. These men... I admit sometimes make me so mad I could spit. Then other times, I realize they are so lost in their own pride that I actually relate to them. They often reflect the self-righteous me that trips over itself, longing to be known and noticed. They simply insisted on keeping life in the neat little rows that they drew for themselves... as do I. But sadly, that intense rigidity caused them to miss the bigger picture. Look here, at this conversation with Jesus... Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Luke 17:20-21 In order to be a Pharisee one must have dedicated their life to the study of the scriptures and religious documents. They held very fast to rules and met regularly to discuss and make judgements over how these were implemented. So they knew the prophecies of the coming Messiah. Unfortunately, since He didn't meet the expectations they had created, they didn't accept Jesus as the One. For they expected one to come along seeking to spend more time discussing the scriptures with them, rather than dining with tax collectors and sinners alike. And too, they believed, like many Jews, that the Messiah would come in a more powerful form to take the government by storm and be king, freeing them from Roman oppression. But Jesus was none of the above. Not here on earth. So they couldn't figure Him out. Who was this man? How did He perform these miracles, and why did He seek to so perturb them by doing so on the Sabbath? So as He stood in their midst, why not just ask bluntly? Enough of the games. Enough of the vague talk telling stories they don't understand. They were not entertained by these imaginations such that He talked about. The Kingdom of God... like a mustard seed, like yeast for bread, like a wedding feast, like ten virgins with lamps, like a owner of a vineyard, like a fishing net being cast, like a hidden treasure in a field, like a merchant seeking pearls. Why shouldn't they just ask, if He was truly the Messiah... WHEN the kingdom of God would come. So Jesus began to explain... He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation Now this word, observation does not simply mean to notice and perceive. Rather, it means to watch insidiously. Or to spy with intent to entrap; to deceitfully observe as though seemingly harmless, when actually having grave intent planned. Jesus, it seemed, was onto them. For many times in the gospels we read that He knew their thoughts. And why not be as blunt with them as they had been with Him. This kingdom they found mysterious would most likely remain so if this was the intent of their heart. So He continued... For indeed, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. This statement was an easy one for Jesus. As the kingdom was among them because the King was right there in the middle of them. If it were a snake, it would have bit them. You see, the kingdom of God begins when we let Jesus, the King, become the ruler of our heart. That is the foundation of the kingdom. Now Jesus' eternal desire is that His kingdom have a perfect order things. But we are yet to live in a perfect world. So until He returns, we are to continue building the foundation by spreading the gospel, increasing the size of the kingdom, including as many citizens as we can. If I will live my life humbled of myrself, and given over to let Him rule in my heart, mind, and emotions, then I can actually enjoy the wait until He returns. We all can! And we won't have to be demanding about WHEN the kingdom is to come. For no one knows... as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day Luke 17:24 And what an amazing sight that will be to enjoy! Every eye seeing, every ear hearing, as He WILL return sure as glory! But until then, let us strive to learn more about he kingdom of God and how we can partake in all the benefits He has for us as citizens! Word of God train me today... To not be so focused on controlling my life, that I cannot see the glory of Your kingdom. To embrace the kingdom of God planted as a seed within in my heart, and share with others the joy that such salvation brings. #allthesethingsadded
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
categories
All
published
January 2019
Check out more: |