… and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
Summary: Paul’s words continue to take us into a deeper understanding of life in the Spirit.
Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when he said, “the kingdom of God is near?” (Mark 1:15)
The concept of a heavenly kingdom on earth is one that stretches the mind. Questions abound! What does it mean? How do we know it is here? What is it like? How do I get there?
Paul gives us a partial answer in today’s passage. God, through his Son Jesus, has rescued us from the “dominion of darkness” and “brought us into the kingdom of the Son …”
What, after all, is a kingdom?
A kingdom is a legal construct. It is a group of people who recognize one particular person or family line as divinely appointed to rule. People in the kingdom obey the ruler, and the ruler, in turn, provides direction and protection for the people.
Do you remember the story about Jesus feeding the five thousand (John 6:1-15)?
The text says that “a great crowd of people” came to Jesus because he had been healing the sick (John 6:2). Later, Jesus feeds them all, thousands and thousands of people, with “five small barley loaves and two small fish” (verse 9).
Imagine what the people had seen! Here is a man who speaks with the authority of God. His divine authority is apparent because he is healing the people of all their diseases. He doesn’t stand apart like the Pharisees and the teachers of the law; instead, he walks among the people, speaking comfort and forgiveness. Finally, as if all this were not enough, he feeds them. All of them!
The text says that Jesus knew what they were thinking.
Without having to confer or vote, the people had decided. They wanted Jesus as their king. They wanted a king who could take care of them, and Jesus had shown that not only could he take care of their needs, but he was willing to care for them.
Unfortunately for the crowds, it was not the right time or the right way to make Jesus king. The text says, “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself” (John 6:15).
Rats! He slipped out of their hands.
Jesus had a different kind of kingdom in mind. He wanted people to come to him for a different kind of healing. Instead of caring for things that wear out, he wants us to “Provide purses for [ourselves] that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” (Luke 12:33).
He wants us to live in the kingdom of the Son!
Application: We can each make Jesus our King!
Food for Thought: How is Jesus different than any other king on earth?
Most kings want us to serve them, fight for them, die for them. Jesus flipped that. He came to serve and give His life for us (Mark 10: 45). He has the nail pierced wrists to remind us of His love for us. He is a king like no other who is worthy of our allegiance.
Thank you, Rich!
What a beautiful way to describe the difference! 🙂
Good meditation and I really like Rich’s comment.
How is Jesus different than any other king on earth?
His Kingdom will never end. King and kingdoms on earth rise and fall, as there is always a chance that the king can be displaced.
Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
The subject of “worthiness” always comes into question with earthy kings. Revelation 5 gives us insight into the true worthiness of Christ.
Revelation 5:11-13 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Side note: I am absolutely “flabbergasted” by verse 7.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
Sounds like a simple act, but what is actually being said there is that Christ is worthy to approach God and receive the scroll from God’s right hand. That gives me the “willies” when I think of it.
Thank you, Chris!
“Worthy” is a very “worthwhile” description of our King!
Come Lord Jesus !
Amen!
BTW – He does!
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
— Matthew 18:20