The Kingdom of God

Here is a concept I’ve heard all my life. But it wasn’t until recently (from November to today, to be exact) that “the Kingdom of God” became more that just some religious jargon or just a concept – it was the central purpose of Jesus. Throughout the gospels we read Jesus speaking of the Kingdom of God over and over; “The Kingdom of God is at hand”, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.” It wasn’t a warning of impending doom, it was His mission – and for too long I’ve missed it…I missed Jesus mission. I thought it was only to save, and yes it was that. But if I limit Jesus to that one moment I have missed His life!

Jesus came to create His Kingdom here…on earth. Recently I’ve asked, “What does that look like?” Check out Isaiah 65 starting at verse 17 – the sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more, never again will infants live but a few days or older people not live out their years, no labor in vain, no misfortune, before we even call God will answer. Surely little me couldn’t bring that here, that is the after-life reward for behaving so well on earth. If we live that way, we have missed the life Jesus came to give – abundant. Every Christ-follower is to bring the Kingdom of God here and now.

Over 2,000 verses in the bible dare us to respond to the poor and the oppressed. When we care and respect people just because of God’s love in us, - not because it is our job, or because of some church program or challenge, or because we have some agenda to bring them to church or get them saved – then we have brought the Kingdom of God to the here and now. The Kingdom of God happens when we see beyond ourselves, when we reach out to someone, when we partner with others who are doing what we can’t do alone, when we look at someone who doesn’t look like us and see a child of God not color, class, wealth or lack of. One day we will stand amazed at the simple things we’ve done, some we will remember others will be long forgotten, and we hear “Well done good and faithful servant”.

Check out the YouTube of Tony Campolo telling two great stories of ordinary people bring the Kingdom into their ordinary days.