20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”-Luke 17:20-21
Last Sunday many of us heard parables about what the kingdom of God is "like." But what exactly *is* the kingdom of God? According to Jesus, it is not a place or anything you can point to or touch... and what's more, he says it is here in our midst! This "kingdom" that we would want to sell all we have in order to gain it is already here!
If we are not seeing it, it is because our earthly treasures have gotten in the way and we have our priorities thoroughly messed up. The kingdom of God comes near as Jesus comes near and is present as God's word of Grace, Mercy and Justice. And it is *we* who are the Church... Christ's body... who dispense God's word and acts of Grace, Mercy and Justice who *are* that very kingdom of God. Or to put it another way: Those who by faith dwell in that Word and in whom God's Word dwells are *in* God's kingdom.
We find the kingdom of God simply by choosing to dwell in it! It's simple, but it is not easy. We must get our priorities straight first. We must understand that the kingdom of God truly is the greatest treasure. We must be truly willing to sell all that we have in order to receive it. We won't necessarily *have* to sell everything we have, but we must be *willing* to if that is what it takes.
Where do your true priorities lie? How do you spend your thoughts, your time and your money? The true answer to that question is where your priorities lie. How close are they to the kingdom of God?
Father,
We look for your kingdom as if it were a place outside of ourselves. Help us to see it within and to sell or give away whatever is necessary in order to dwell in it fully. Amen.
Joys: Spending time with good friends; fruit for breakfast; looking forward to an interesting long weekend
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