The Kingdom of God is NEAR!
The kingdom of GOD.
OF GOD.
Not of popularity contests or idols;
Not the kingdom of deceptions and manipulations.
Nor is it the kingdom of polarised politics, of “egotists and autocrats” (as George Bowering wrote).
Jesus is NOT speaking of the kingdoms of powers and principalities, of domination and destruction.
It is NOT the kingdom of economics, where greed and poverty are accepted as the norm.
It is NOT the kingdom of cruelty, where lies prevail and accountability is ignored.
Jesus is not telling about the kingdoms of individualism and consumerism and cruel systems that deny people full life.
Because all of those things: they exist. They are already of the world: they are here: we live within them.
And those things, which reject the truth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: they are of this world.
They are worldly.
Which means they are temporary. Earthly. Fallible. Limited in geography. Limited by lifespan. Limited by conflict and wars and oppression.
No, beloved of our God, these are not the kingdoms that Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel. Jesus does NOT address the Kingdoms of this world:
He re-assures us of the Kingdom of GOD.
The kingdom of God!
Where peace and justice prevail.
Where truth and grace abound.
Where love triumphs.
Where sins are forgiven.
Where redemption has already taken place.
The KINGDOM of GOD.
Where God reigns!
Where God’s will is entirely fulfilled!
Where God is not restrained by any of our earthly limits!
The kingdom of GOD.
And good news for us all, is that the kingdom of God is not on a map – because it’s not a place; and the kingdom of God is not a population – because it’s more than individual peoples;
The kingdom of God is where the activity of God is embraced.
It’s where we collectively and individually proclaim the sovereignty of God’s power.
It’s where the kingdoms of the world cede authority to the to the source of all regal power that comes only from God.
The Kingdom of God.
It’s a great place – it’s the goal; it’s the thing about which Jesus spoke most often.
The kingdom of God is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus.
And: today – as we hear these beautiful words that Jesus speaks, he tells us not just to believe in the Kingdom of God, but that it is NEAR.
And that it was even NEARER because of his presence.
He told them the closeness of the kingdom in his words, as he spoke of the promise of redemption; as he conferred forgiveness of sins, as he embraced the outcasts and ate and drank with those who were rejected by society.
He showed the nearness of the kingdom in his actions, as he demonstrated compassion and love, as he touched the untouchables, befriended the shunned, fed the hungry, healed the hurt.
He proclaimed the nearness of the kingdom in his very being; as he prayed intimately and passionately with God, as he risked his own well-being for the well-being of society’s least and lost, as he offered new ways to counter injustice and oppression.
He continues to teach us, if we can hear it, this timeless and timely good news:
The Kingdom of God is NEAR!
AND: he said – you can see it getting closer, and closer, and closer.
We just need to be willing to see it.
Which means being willing to look for it.
And then being able to recognise it.
And this is where the great opportunity comes for us, as followers of the way of Jesus, to pay attention.
And this is not a new understanding, but a repetition of what God had been telling God’s people all along:
Pay attention, for the Kingdom of God is near.
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God assures us all that the days are surely coming! That the promises of old will be fulfilled! This is good news – for those promises are for a land and a time of justice and righteousness: of peace and well-being, of salvation and safety. Jeremiah shares with us all the Good News of God: the kingdom is coming near.
And the Psalmist seeks that right relationship with God, leaning into those promises that are given, wanting – longing, even – to learn more and more about the ways of God, that we may learn the paths of the Lord, and follow in God’s ways. For in this, we will see the kingdom come nearer.
And in the letter to the Thessalonians, as Paul prayed fervently for this far-off community, Paul offers ways for people to feel the coming of the kingdom: as he hopes for restored faith, for an increase in love and holiness, for a focus to be directed to God. And in these prayers, and the invitati0on for the community to continue in prayer, Paul lays out a roadmap (as it were) to seek the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ.
And of course: The Gospel.
In the examples that Jesus gives, he invites folks to look to the world around them, and see where the Kingdom of God can break in. He tells them to notice the actions and reactions of the people around them, and see where the kingdom of God is already proclaimed.
And he speaks to them about – a fig tree. Which may seem a little – underwhelming and strange – until we recognise that Jesus is inviting folks to look at their own lives, and to understand from their own experiences and learnings what they already know. Just as the changes in foliage tell them of changes in the life of the tree, so too do the changes in our own lives tell us of possible changes in our spiritual life.
So we can look at our own paths and determine where we are in relation to the Kingdom of God:
Are we near? Are we far? Are we headed in the right direction?
What a great opportunity for us to begin this Advent season, this gorgeous season of preparation, with a good reflection of our understanding of the kingdom of God, and of our own lives.
Are our hearts weighed down? How can we alleviate that weightiness?
Are the hearts of our beloved weighted down? Do we want to help them lighten their loads?
Are we paying attention to the truth of God’s presence in the world, and living our best lives, in truth and with grace and compassion?
Are we ready for the kingdom of God?
For the kingdom of God is near: and this is good news!
So we ask for God’s help, as we journey through this realm, that we will not be caught unawares.
We give thanks for Jesus’ direction not to cower at these earthly signs, but to stand tall and raise our heads – for our redemption is always drawing near.
We praise God for the gift of revelation and promise that has been given to us throughout the scriptures, and the saints, and our experiences.
And we make an offering to God, an offering of focus: on God. On love. On peace. On the Kingdom of God.
For the Kingdom of God is near:
Thanks be to God!
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