4. On the Kingdom

If you want to know what a person is about, listen to what the person talks about frequently. When Jesus, the one whom the Christians say is One with God and is God, was with us, he talked most about the Kingdom of God.

He talked about what it was like. How we, His beautifully beloved children, could be part of it. And how He came to our broken world to die for us just so we could have a taste of His Kingdom.

Why did Jesus spend so much of his time here talking about this mystery Kingdom, and not on other things? Well, here are some ideas:

First, when one is about to board a train, does one board because the train serves excellent tea, cookies, and coffee? Or does one board because the train is going to one’s destination? I think the latter. Jesus focused on the Kingdom because that is where those who choose to believe in Him are headed. He is such a gentleman, he does not want to play a fast one on anyone. He does not want to talk about coffee and cookies without letting us know where our train is headed. If the particulars of the Kingdom seem attractive to you, get on board. If not, I suggest you still get on board. Who knows, midway through the ride you might find yourself looking forward to getting to the Kingdom.

Second, He is giving us a glimpse of what right-side up living resembles. What we are experiencing now, how we are living, is upside down living. It is warped. We, at the moment, are creatures that find it so hard to give and love and forgive that we struggle to find joy in our daily endeavors. But in the Kingdom, He lets us know there will be boundless joy and many mansions. There will be no more crying. He is infecting us with hope.

Last point. The Kingdom isn’t simply a place where we are headed. It is, I reckon, a way of being. It is like a special club where everyone is welcome because, to Him, we’re all special. But to enjoy this club, we must behave a certain way. We must act with faith, love, and grace. He wants us to begin practicing today, as if we are already in the Kingdom. He wants us to begin to reap the benefits of Kingdom living even before we get there. He loves us that much.

Jesus may be a mystery to you. But know this. You are no mystery to Him. You, to Him, are beautiful and loved beyond measure. And He wants to spend eternity with you.