| the Kingdom! |
| the Kingdom! |
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KINGDOMS In these days of democracies, 'kingdoms' are kind of strange. But back in Bible-times, kingdoms were all they had, and the 'king' was in-charge (except for Athens, of course). The jews had a special affinity toward 'kings' ... their most successful time was during 'the kingdom' of David and Solomon. What are we talking about ... maybe a hundred years at best? Other than that, the jews (Israel) were in a constant state of 'dis-repair', and forever dreaming of another 'kingdom'. So, the concept of 'God' having a kingdom is not too much of a stretch. Of course, the jews wanted that 'kingdom' to be 'Israel'. An 'annointed one' would come, and return 'the kingdom'. Interestingly, the worse the situation got, the more the prophets would show up to promise 'a kingdom'. By the time of the Romans, the jews had fragmented twenty different ways. Some thought the 'prophets' were 'bunk' (and thus the 'kingdom'). That would be the ones in-charge (sadducees). Another group thought the 'bunkers' were truly evil, since they also cooperated with the romans. So, they headed out to the desert to await 'the Righteous One' (the essenes). But, the group that we view as 'the real jews' (the pharasees) embraced the prophets and created a whole lot of religiousity (rules), all in preparation for the promised 'end-time' ... the kingdom!! JESUS At this point, 'Joshua' shows up (in greek 'Jesus'). Right off the bat, he starts attacking the 'religiousity' group (as if the 'bunkers' and 'desert-people' don't even exist). And to really get the situation clarified, he says the 'kingdom' is IN THEIR HEARTS. Huh? As you can well imagine, the pharasees had a heart-attack. Jesus then proceeded to even question all their nutty priorities. Huh? It got even worse. Jesus began spending much of his time with THE BAD PEOPLE. These would be the SAME PEOPLE we avoid today ... poor people (loosers), the mentally deranged (double-loosers), and people with mysterious diseases (obviously sinful)! APOPLEXY Jesus was NOT done. He then proceeds to chat with 'WOMEN'. Lord, have mercy on our very souls! Anyone familiar with 'women' knows they aren't worth much. But, Jesus had his 'women followers' and even debates with a 'Samaritan' woman. Lordy, lordy. The jews absolutely HATED the samaritans (and visa versa). Plus the woman was a 'DI-VOR-CEE' ... many times over! Jesus' disciples were 'fit to be tied'. 'WHO' were they following??? THE KINGDOM You shouldn't be surprised that Jesus developed quite a following (healing had its value). And he would teach them (even more striking!). "The kingdom of God is likened unto ...." YOU! Fast-forward to today. We take care of the poor (sort of). Try to help the mentally challenged (sort of). And reduce disease (sort of). Plus, we respect women (kind of). In fact, 'Jesus' really doesn't appear to be that unusual, does he? Indeed, ... who needs Jesus?? THE RED WRITING But, that's where you REALLY need to read Jesus' words closer. (1) He was entirely serious. (2) The measure of 'the kingdom' was not easy then or now. and (3) Not many would enter 'the kingdom'. He talked about 'the mind of a child'. He said the 'first' would be 'last'. And said 'having things' would be your downfall. The measure of the 'kingdom' would be inside you. To be 'God-like' and enter the kingdom of God, you'd have to change what was inside you. A LOT. Jesus didn't last long. A year? Three years? Too many enemies. Today, I suspect he's largely forgotten. Instead, we have 'the resurrection'! Sundays, and 'church'! 'The Baby Jesus'! There's the 'crucifiction'. Plus 'repent'! The 'Grace of God'. And 'accepting Jesus into your heart'. It goes on and on. I don't doubt each of these concepts. But, I keep returning to what 'Jesus' thought was so critical. THE KINGDOM There's something to 'the Kingdom of God' and what is inside you. To be 'God-like', you have to work on what is inside you. Being 'religious' didn't seem to count for Jesus. Even being 'good' wasn't 'good enough'. You keep returning to 'the kingdom' and what's inside you. Over and over and over. Until you die. |
| Copyright ©, 2007, dmbarnhart |
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