Kingdom of Heaven -- Matt. 11
The more you read the more you see that the kingdom of heaven isn't just a side theme in Jesus life, it is his theme. Jesus came to spread the Kingdom of Heaven. Every chapter there is something significant to blog about the kindgom of God/Heaven.
Jesus talks here about John the Baptist, that he was Elijah, and he was preparing the way for the Messiah, the King. Jesus says among all humans none is Greater than John the Baptist. But he also says this . . . (astounding) . . . In the kingdom of heaven the least is greater than John. It's like Jesus is coming to set things right . . . to bring justice . . . where the great become least and the least become great, so that justice is brought to the earth. We here this theme several times. So again, the "the least of these" we value most in the Kingdom.
As Jesus continues he talks about how God has consealed these things from the learned and let the children understand. The "wise" miss it, but the least understand. I wonder if that is still the case today, or if that was just a first century thing?
BTW, so far it seems to me that the gospel is the Kingdom, or to say it another way, the good news is that the Kingdom is upon you. I have always thought of them as two separate things, but at this point, they are connected and can't be separated . . . maybe that changes . . . Just an observation at this point.
Jesus talks here about John the Baptist, that he was Elijah, and he was preparing the way for the Messiah, the King. Jesus says among all humans none is Greater than John the Baptist. But he also says this . . . (astounding) . . . In the kingdom of heaven the least is greater than John. It's like Jesus is coming to set things right . . . to bring justice . . . where the great become least and the least become great, so that justice is brought to the earth. We here this theme several times. So again, the "the least of these" we value most in the Kingdom.
As Jesus continues he talks about how God has consealed these things from the learned and let the children understand. The "wise" miss it, but the least understand. I wonder if that is still the case today, or if that was just a first century thing?
BTW, so far it seems to me that the gospel is the Kingdom, or to say it another way, the good news is that the Kingdom is upon you. I have always thought of them as two separate things, but at this point, they are connected and can't be separated . . . maybe that changes . . . Just an observation at this point.
posted by Jon Knapp at
7:35 AM
2 Comments:
The Kingdom is a huge thing for Jesus. I've been reading Matthew also (now beginning chapter 13), as I go along, writing down thoughts and questions.
So far, every time but one, Jesus speaks about the Kingdom as a here and now thing, something that is either about to come, or has come upon us.
My favorite of those is when He is debating on where His miricals are coming from: God or Satan. Jesus says rhetorically, that if He drives out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
(It has!) So I guess we betting begin living the Kingdom life now. I know that growing up, I was given, or under the impression that the Kingdom was future, and still to come.
So far, the only future idea of the Kingdom (distant future) is in 7:15-23, where Jesus says that many on "that day" will say Lord, Lord, we did all this stuff in your name, but they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What? Powerful.
Jesus talks much about action. Those who are his brothers and sisters, His family, are the ones who do the will of God.
You can tell the good and bad trees by their fruit, by what they produce.
Jesus is looking for people to join His kingdom that don't just know or believe the right things, but also live them out; advancing His Kingdom.
So glad you are reading though Matthew in a sense with me. Your thoughts add so much to the blog. Even if it is just us reading it. =)
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home