Thursday, April 23, 2009

Processing the Kingdom

After Jesus had gathered together a small group of devoted followers, he went about "proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people." [Matt. 4:23] It must have been something--healing every affliction! And you can be sure the disciples were with him during this time, hearing his message and witnessing the incredible healings.

I wonder how they "processed" all this. I think that when he takes them up to a high mountain to teach them a thing or two about this "kingdom" he's been talking about, he's out to sweep away skewed preconceptions and pride-induced misunderstandings. And so he sits down with them on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee (wouldn't you like to have been there?) and he says something that is shockingly powerful and cleansing of mental drek:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
That's worth repeating.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I'm going to spend some time here at Wilderness Fandango "processing" the teaching on the mount in Matthew 5 through 7. I hope you'll join me in allowing the words of Jesus to read your very heart.

A few simple thoughts for now, and then a question. Jesus' basic message here in the early days of his ministry had been, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." And he healed many as a demonstration of that kingdom. Each of these "afflicted" came to Jesus in dire need, and in receiving healing they received a powerful foretaste of kingdom reality. Health! The lame walked. The blind saw. Those burdened by mental illness received understanding and clarity of mind.

And then Jesus turns to his disciples, and he draws them aside to teach them quietly, preparing them for the mission he will one day send them on (Matt. 28:19-20), and he says,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
My question: Am I poor in spirit? Have I ever been? Do I really desire to be poor in spirit? In what way does my lack of this condition keep me from enjoying foretastes of the kingdom now?

2 comments:

Barry Simmons said...

Bob- I like where you are going with your blog, and in this post in particular. Will be interesting to see where this direction takes you. I'll be following and listening.

Anonymous said...

good subject to reflect on.
i am going to sit on the hillside and listen.