To Have the Kingdom

If something is at hand, it is nearby. We should be able to reach out and grasp it with our fingers. Jesus' directions to His disciples were, And as you go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt. 10:7 NKJV)

If the kingdom of heaven is truly at hand, it has to be more than eternal life in paradise. It must exist not only in the future, but also in the present. The people of Palestine were probably more interested in a physical kingdom apart from the Roman Empire than in an elusive concept they could not understand. Perhaps some even thought He was talking about a physical kingdom, but such a possibility was hardly something at hand.

So what is this elusive but nearby kingdom? As we move deeper into the story, we learn Jesus is the King of heaven. We learn our ability to walk with Him determines our ability to walk in the present-day, nearby, spiritual kingdom of heaven. He said, Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before him, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (v. 32)

Most of us have trouble reaching out to receive the kingdom of heaven, even when we do walk with Jesus. The concept is alien to our mindsets—we are too focused on the physical realities to think about spiritual realities.

But there are great promises for those who move in God's kingdom of heaven. Jesus said, Freely you have received, freely give. (v. 8b) He always has more for His children and He always rules with His kingdom laws of love and grace.

Originally published July 26, 1991.

The Two Criminals

Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. One cried out with a bitter heart, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Lk. 23:39b KJV) This bitter man ignored his own sin and challenged Jesus. He also ignored and rejected the sinless nature of Christ—placing himself outside of God’s blessing.

The second criminal responded differently. He said to his fellow criminal, “Do you not even fear God . . . we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Lk. 23:40b,41b NKJV) This man understood and acknowledged his personal guilt—and he recognized the sinless nature of Jesus. Because the man understood, he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (v. 42 NKJV)

Everyone who hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ must respond the way one of these two criminals responded. We either reject or accept Christ and His righteousness. If we accept Jesus, we accept His ability to save us when we cannot save ourselves. Jesus said to the repentant criminal, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (v. 43b NKJV)

Originally published March 22, 1991.
Picture: Cross on Cathedral spire, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Clothed with White Robes

The book of Revelation is hard to understand, but some passages are so exciting we thrill to them anyway.

For example, “ beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes. . . . (Rev. 7:9 KJV)

The multitude worshipped with a loud voice. Angels worshipped, too. Then an elder approached and asked John, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?” (vs. 13b)

At John’s request, the elder answered his own question: “These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (v. 14b)

Originally published September 30, 1983.
Picture: Flowers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig