Secrets of the Kingdom

"He said,

'The knowledge of the secrets of the

kingdom of God has been given to you,

but to others I speak in parables, so that,

though seeing,

they may not see;

though hearing,

they may not understand.'"

Luke 8:10

There was a period of time when I was a child that I learned a bit about the world of synchronized swimming.  A new group had formed at our local pool and I enthusiastically joined.  Even though the class only existed for about a year, I learned a lot about the sport.  There were terms to discover, skills to master and routines to learn.  While it was fun while it lasted, entering the foreign domain of this new activity required much education.

If I was talking to a friend who was not involved in "water ballet," as we called it in my time, I had to explain most of what I was discussing in order to keep them clued in.  If I didn't, they were completely lost.

In God's kingdom, it's not so different.  Only those who belong to the kingdom have the ability to understand the kingdom.  While in synchronized swimming, I took the time and effort to learn about the sport, but comprehending kingdom ways is brought about by God's Spirit who lives within me.  When I gave my life to Jesus, I was baptized by the Spirit, receiving the Counselor He promised to leave with me as a Guide and Helper. (John 14:16, John 16:7)  The Holy Spirit teaches me spiritual truths and kingdom ways.  (1 Corinthians 2:13) 

As one who accepted Jesus as my Savior from the certain death my sins deserve, and who has dedicated my life to following Him wholeheartedly, I have knowledge only known to the members of the family of God.

Supreme Directive

The man lay wounded on the sidewalk, bleeding from a wound to his head.  As the lifeblood seeped out of him onto the callous cement, pedestrians took a wide berth.  Some looked at his clothing and assumed he was a homeless man or drug dealer, meeting the predictable demise his chosen lifestyle had dictated.  Others couldn't be bothered with such things on a busy day like today.  There were business deals to be made; someone else would have to help the poor soul.  Many pretended not to see the suffering, troubled that such violence was occurring in their very own neighborhood.

Finally a man dressed in an embroidered salwar kameez, a traditional form of Islamic clothing, took pity on the dying victim.  As he dialed 9-1-1 on his cell phone, the rescuer took the man's pulse and tried to determine his condition.  "Sir!  Sir!  Are you okay?  I'm calling an ambulance for you.  Sir?"

The Muslim gentleman stayed with the wounded until he had been loaded up into the rescue vehicle.  Surprisingly, when the victim recovered from his injuries, he discovered that his bill had already been paid by an unknown benefactor. (Luke 10:30-37)

Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love people, in that order.  If I do those two things, I'll never break any of His commandments!  (Matthew 22:36-40) The Good Samaritan is a beautiful example of how to carry out this supreme directive.  Loving God and others is a different message than what I hear from the world around me.  I am constantly bombarded with messages to love myself, to look out for #1, and to take care of me first.  

Nowhere is this more evident than in the debate of stay-at-home motherhood.  Staying home to care for my children and forsake a career in the workplace is seen as foolishness.  In the world's opinion,  I should be honing some marketable skills and building a name for myself, not frittering away my time wiping noses and cooking meals!  Serving God and my family in this vital way is viewed as a waste of time and perfectly good talents and abilities. If God called me to use this as a way to demonstrate His love to my family, though, I will never feel more fulfilled.

How can I best love God and others like the Good Samaritan did in the parable Jesus used as an example?  It could be instead of spending my time focused on learning to love myself, I can learn to love God who will give me a love for all of His creation, including me.  Perhaps I could stop thinking about how I can get ahead and instead come up with ways to love those around me.  Maybe when God blesses me materially, instead of assuming its for me I could ask God if He wants me to give it away to someone else.  

One of the secrets of God's kingdom is to love Him and others above all else.

Seeking His Kingdom

I remember my years in High School where I was taught to prepare for a career in the world.  I learned to write a resume and extol my virtues.  I researched interesting fields and found out how to enter that occupation.  In short, I was learning how to seek success.

Jesus said the pagans go after all the necessities of life because they think they need to provide for themselves.  But as a child of God, my Father knows I need these things.  Therefore, I'm free to spend my time going after other more eternal pursuits.  (Matthew 6:25-34)

While the world says the world is mine for the taking, God says He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all of creation is His for the giving.  (Psalm 50  Philippians 4:19-20)  

I am bombarded with messages to promote myself and be my own number one fan, but God says He'll be the one to lift me up in His time.  (1 Peter 5:6)

I always hear that I only have one life so I should live it to the hilt, grabbing all the pleasure, comfort and happiness I can, but God says my life belongs to Him and learning to take what He gives will result in contentment and peace.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Matthew 6:24, Philippians 4:11-13)

Another secret of God's kingdom is to wholeheartedly and single-mindedly go after His kingdom.

Let Him Judge

You're not going to let him walk all over you, are ya'?

Don't just stand there, do something!

I deserve better treatment than this.  May I speak to your manager?

I paid a lot of money for this weekend and I'm not going to let this poor service ruin it for me.  I'm going straight to the top.  Let me talk to the owner.

How can you let her talk to you that way?  If I were you, I'd give her a piece of my mind.

These are all examples of how people conduct themselves in the world today.  As  modern women, I hold many of these same kinds of attitudes.  I believe I must stand up for myself or I'll be taken advantage of.  If I don't speak up, I won't get the best deal possible.  I'll never get the service I deserve unless I demand it.

Tragically, this puts me in the place of God, the only true Judge.  He is the sole Being who knows what I truly deserve: Death.  Despite my high view of my rights, my sins place me at the bottom of the totem pole with no special privileges or liberties as far as God is concerned.  I like to think I am entitled to be treated respectfully, but if God Himself does not receive that honor from His created beings, why do I think I should?

Instead, God gave the example of His Son who came in human form over 2000 years ago.  He said that Jesus took on the nature of a servant and made himself nothing even though He was in very nature, God.  (Philippians 2:5-11)  Why would He take such treatment and stand silent before His accusers?  (Isaiah 53:7)  He did it out of obedience to His Father, and out of love for you and me.  (John 15:3)  His submission resulted in glory to God.

In the same way, if I can leave the judgement and retribution to God, the glory will go to Him when I stand silent instead of sticking up for myself.  Letting God defend me will always result in the name of Jesus being exalted and the humbling of my own identity.  (Philippians 2:9-11)

A third secret of God's kingdom is that I can let God defend me, giving Him the rightful position of righteous Judge. (Psalm 7:10-11)

There is so much I can base my life upon, even when trying to live for God.  But His Spirit teaches me many secret things about His kingdom, including proper priorities, godly focus and humility.  When I open my heart to what He is teaching me, He will be glorified in my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will learn the secrets of the kingdom being revealed in my heart by God's Spirit.

How do I ignore His teachings and instead grasp onto worldly wisdom?

When am I reluctant to let God defend me instead of standing up for myself?

Heed

"John's disciples told him about all these things.

  Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask,

'Are you the one who was to come,

or should we expect someone else?'

When the men came to Jesus, they said,

'John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 

Are you the one who was to come,

or should we expect someone else?'

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases,

sicknesses and evil spirits, 

and gave sight to many who were blind.

So he replied to the messengers,

'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard:

The blind receive sight, the lame walk

those who have leprosy are cured,

the deaf hear, the dead are raised,

and the good news is preached to the poor.

Blessed is the man who does not fall away

 on account of me.'

Luke 7:18-23

I have always loved to read mystery novels, especially the kind where the hero or heroine of the story finds the clue that reveals the secret that lies in the center of all the intrigue.  Usually, she must pay close attention to details, analyzing previous conversations, encounters and episodes until it all becomes clear.  The heroine shows her skill at seeing the hidden truth that lies beneath the surface.

In some ways, following Jesus is like solving a set of mysteries.  Instead of following my own instinct and relying on my wit, though, I trust in God's Spirit to reveal the hidden truth.  For instance, Jesus taught in parables so that only those who belonged to Him and paid attention would catch the message.  (Luke 8:10)  

In this passage, Jesus answered John's doubts in a way that only someone who was paying attention would recognize: by quoting Messianic prophecies found in Isaiah 35:5-6.  Jesus was telling John that He fulfilled that foretelling without coming right out and saying it plainly.  If John didn't know the scriptures or pay careful attention to His words, he would have missed the meaning.  

It's no different today.  God is working all around me, sending messages through people, scripture, or even through His creation.  To recognize the hand of Jesus in my life, however, I must heed.

Hurts Healed

Modern people think we have it all figured out.  When I'm sick, I make an appointment with the doctor.  If I have a problem with my teeth, I go to the dentist.  If there's difficulty in my marriage, I go the the counselor.  Do the children have behavioral issues?  I'll take them to see a therapist!.

I like to try to manage everything and feel like I have some semblance of control.  The truth is, though, "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it." (Psalm 24:1)  If I seek healing, I must go first to the One who created me and knows me intimately (Psalm 139) and He will show me what to do to get on the path of wellness.

I've heard it said that the hospital is full of people who are trying to live their lives their way.  One of the detrimental habits we get into is unforgiveness.  I know in my family alone, grudges have been held for years against brothers and sisters until each one forgets why they were mad in the first place.  Still, the bitterness is held in the heart.  Unwillingness to let go of the hurts perpetrated against me causes a myriad of maladies that no doctor can cure.

Patti Davis, daughter of Ronald Reagan, wrote in her book Angels Don't Die about the time after the 1981 attempt on her dad's life.  "The following day my father said he knew his physical healing was directly dependent on his ability to forgive John Hinckley.  By showing me that forgiveness is the key to everything, including physical health and healing, he gave me an example of Christlike thinking."

If I'm paying close attention to what Jesus is telling me, I will see that healing comes through forgiveness.

Sight Restored

This is the age of education.  Higher learning is seen as the key to success and the door to a whole new world of knowledge and insight.  Although there are many positive aspects to school, it will not give me wisdom to live God's way.

When Jesus encountered the man blind from birth, he put some mud on his eyes and had him go wash in the pool of Siloam where his sight was restored. (John 9)  The church leaders labeled Jesus as a sinner who could not be used by a holy God since He performed this miracle on the Sabbath.  Later, Jesus talked to them about spiritual blindness, and how He could also heal that malady through the simple faith of the victim.  Unfortunately, the leaders didn't want to hear this humbling message and rejected Him completely.

Similarly, Jesus is teaching me a truth that I fail to see because it goes against my expectations or understanding of how God works.  I think I already know, so I don't pay attention.  I'm blind.

Jesus heals my blindness when I let go of my self-centered, prideful attitude.   It takes a humble spirit to see past my own knowledge or beliefs and clearly see the reality of His kingdom ways.

When I'm blind I think everyone should listen to the same Christian music, but when He heals me I learn that He is able to use all music for His purposes in a variety of ways.

When I can't see the truth I'm stuck in a rut thinking a good Christian goes to church every Sunday.  Then He opens my eyes and I realize that some churches are worse than no church at all and that He can bring the church to me.

When I think I know but I don't have a clue, I'm easily irritated and drawn into an argument.  As soon as I turn to Him for 20/20 vision, however, I see how wrong I was and how He is the source of all wisdom.

If I'm paying close attention to what Jesus is telling me, I'll see that I'm blinded to the truth by my pride and self-righteousness.  

Good News Preached

No one wants to be poor.  It's human nature to desire riches, or at least comfort.  But Jesus came to the poor:  Not to the financially poor, but to the spiritually poor.   It's easy to get full of myself and rich in the cares of my life.  When I'm self-conscious, I'm no longer God-conscious.  How, then, can I hear the Good News?

Just because I've accepted Jesus as my Savior does not mean I no longer need the Good News.  It is necessary for me to hear it over and over again.   I need to be reminded that I'm saved by grace so that I won't try to earn my salvation thus nullifying the sacrifice of Christ. (Ephesians 2:8)   It is good for me to hear that I'm loved because of God's character and identity as a loving God, not because I'm good enough to earn His love.  (Romans 5:8)  I must constantly be told again and again that the blood of Jesus covered all my sins and that I am no longer condemned.  (Romans 8:1)

If, however, I'm holding onto my own misconceptions or faulty beliefs, I'll fail to hear these vital messages.  Jesus is constantly at work in my heart, but I'll be unable to receive what He has to give me if I can't even hear the Good News He's preaching.  How can I empty myself of everything that distracts me, all thoughts that are about me, all doubt and fear, and grasp onto the Good News?

If I'm paying attention to what Jesus is telling me, I'll empty myself to the point where I can hear His constant reassurance and receive all He has to give.

God is working all around me in ways I will never see if I don't pay attention.  When I heed I see that forgiveness delivers healing, humility leads to renewed spiritual vision, and that I must be poor in spirit in order to receive the Gospel as He preaches it to me on a daily basis.  As I diligently watch for Him, I will be led to the rock that is higher than I where I will find refuge.  (Psalm 61:2-3)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can pay attention to the small and large messages God is delivering to me.

How do I fail to see the truth because I am intent on seeing things my way?

When do I need to hear the Good News but can't because I'm too busy feeding myself lies and half-truths that sound good to my ears?