The next thing I've been chewing on:
Jesus taught continuously "the Kingdom has drawn near you" when someone was healed or delivered or blessed in some way. He taught us to pray "Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven." What did He mean? What's He talking about? Usually when I think about the kingdom of heaven, I think about the Revelation picture of Jesus returning as the conquering hero on a white horse setting up His throne on earth. That things will continue to go to hell in a handbasket until He returns to set things straight. So is the kingdom here now, or is it coming later? What I've been taught is that the "kingdom" Jesus is referring to is mostly just the spiritual aspect of our lives; that yes, it does affect the way we live but it's more of a set of principles to live by than an actual "nation", so to speak.
True? Not sure anymore. I read this morning about Jesus teaching on the kingdom in parables. He taught on how valuable it is and how the righteous will be separated from the wicked at the end. But He also taught on how it's like leaven that a woman worked through a bunch of flour, until it had influenced the whole batch. With parable on the tares, He taught how both the wheat and the weeds grew to maturity, and it was easy to distinguish between the two. But there's still not a whole lot of answers to timing there.
So which is it? Is the "kingdom" actually supposed to superimpose itself over governmental structures, economies, education systems, etc? Are we actually supposed to disciple nations, not just people in those nations? Or do we just hang in there while the world goes to pot, try to get a bunch of people saved and look forward to Jesus coming back? The answer is super important, because it determines not only my role but the role of believers as a whole.
Close up, the works look the same: extending compassion, helping others out, loving big, healing the sick, etc. But behind the works, the heart is vastly different. With one, you watch the news and say "yep. Times are getting crazy, everything is in chaos, just like Jesus said." With the other, you watch the news and say "alright, this needs to change, the kingdom needs to draw near this situation." and we have a responsibility to do just that.
And that's what I've been wrestling with. The thought, idea, doctrine, etc. of working to bring the influence the kingdom of heaven into every realm of society seems futile when the world is only going to get more and more dark and chaotic until Jesus comes. But I guess that's the question: who's responsibility is it? The kingdom of heaven will be brought to influence upon every realm of society, but is it our responsibility to do that now, or do we hold out and wait for Jesus to do it at the end of the age?
That's the question I'm after right now. Until next time!
Interesting point. I feel like there has been this system of belief...subtly taught, that kind of permeates Christendom. And that is that, like you said, things go to hell in a handbasket, then the rapture, then the tribulation, then the kingdom comes.
ReplyDeleteIt's always been discouraging to me- like we're just these passive pawns, living our Christian lives waiting for the crap to hit the fan. I like the alternative you propose. Obviously no one would come out and say "quit". But that's the underlying message I've often felt. The 'yeast/bread/working' verse is a good counter to that sort of hopelessness, though.