I\u2019m really excited to see the reality of the kingdom of heaven. I know that for many, the kingdom has begun, and that\u2019s true \u2013 Jesus has come, and he\u2019s finished his work.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s all entwined in faith. I\u2019m really eager for faith not to be needed anymore. For us to see, to experience in vivid technicolor, the reality of the kingdom of heaven.<\/p>\n
I think too often we focus on us getting there (admittedly important) rather than on what it will be like. That\u2019s why I so appreciate Jesus as he starts the Sermon on the Mount. He gives this really amazing description of what the kingdom is. And it stokes my longing.<\/p>\n
He turns to different unnamed, impersonal groups. And he calls them blessed. Because of what the kingdom is like. And as we hear about these groups, we start to understand\u2026 he\u2019s revealing what the kingdom of heaven is. Not in terms of gold pavement or translucent buildings. But in terms of qualities. And it is fantastic.<\/p>\n
Walk with me; let your heart long. Because the kingdom, it comes, surely as Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.\u201d This incredible kingdom will be given, not earned. It is for the spiritually bankrupt, which means that no currency will buy your way in. It is a space-time manifestation of the grace of God.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.\u201d The kingdom is a place of comfort. If you grieve, if this is what afflicts you, you are fortunate. Comfort comes.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.\u201d The kingdom of heaven, established on earth, will not be won with power. If you are powerless, rejoice. You are blessed. You won\u2019t need power to be in this incredible kingdom. The power of another suffices.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.\u201d I love this. The kingdom comes; righteousness will abound. If you hunger for it, you are fortunate, because the kingdom is a place of rightness.<\/p>\n
I could go on. It is a place of purity, total transparency; a place of peace, so much so that those who are about peace are called sons of God; a place where wrongs are made right, where justice prevails.<\/p>\n
I am so prone to make everything about me. So Jesus\u2019 words of blessing are easily warped by me and others to be a list of ethical demands to enter the kingdom. I don\u2019t think they are, though. I think they are a beautiful picture of what our kingdom is. A portrait of a reality that is coming.<\/p>\n
I say \u201cour kingdom\u201d because I hope if you\u2019re reading this that you have the righteousness that matters. Because Jesus suddenly changes pronouns in the beatitudes. The last\u00a0beatitude\u00a0(Matt. 5:11) is suddenly about the disciples. And about Jesus. He says how fortunate, not when you are persecuted for your righteousness\u2026 but when you are persecuted for Jesus\u2019 sake. That\u2019s because the kingdom of heaven is a place where Jesus is our righteousness.<\/p>\n
Faith will become sight. But it is by faith we get there. Faith not in our achievement. Faith in Jesus, in all that he has done for us. In all that he has promised.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s good for it. And it is beautiful. I can\u2019t wait.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019m really excited to see the reality of the kingdom of heaven. I know that for many, the kingdom has begun, and that\u2019s true \u2013 Jesus has come, and he\u2019s finished his work. But that\u2019s all entwined in faith. I\u2019m really eager for faith not to be needed anymore. For us to see, to experience … Continue reading Longing for the Kingdom<\/span>