tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70674792758193481202011-07-08T06:59:47.811-07:00Discipleship and EducationAndrew Bradleynoreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067479275819348120.post-14951094820720818192009-10-29T12:56:00.001-07:002009-10-29T17:06:50.525-07:00The Kingdom of God and the 'R' wordJesus' speech in the gospels never fails to be intriguing, even peculiar. In my own studies, very few themes in Jesus' ministry tend to be as odd as the Kingdom of God. The 'kingdom of <br />God' is never mentioned in the Old Testament as such. This phrase is first introduced to us on the lips of John the Baptist. His message was "repent!" Why? "Because the kingdom of God is near.' <br /><br />If John's frightful call to repentance conjures up visions of crazies, eccentrics, or even protesters you are beginning to get the idea. John the Baptist was not a normal man. Living in the desert eating bugs and wearing fur was a difficult image to overcome but his bold message soon won over the crowds. People began to believe, repent and be baptized. Through all of this John became a celebrity throughout Palestine. And his early execution did little to curb his popularity. Like modern rock stars, his early death only served to solidify him as an hallmark in history, a bonified prophet of Israel. Matthew's gospel paints John as the predecessor to Jesus ministry. He was the man who rolled out the red carpet, making straight paths for Jesus to begin his ministry. <br /><br />Jesus does not stray far from John's message of repentance. Even when he shows grace to the woman at the well he reminds her, 'go and sin no more.' Jesus continually shows grace, but in doing so offers to free us from our sin. In fact, Jesus entire ministry is about freeing those around them from their self love, hurtful ambitions, twisted ways of thinking, and undeserved illnesses. Yet as I journey in my Christian walk I often forget this. I analyze Jesus' social message or 'theologize' about his death and resurrection. I admire his love for the poor. It seems the longer I am a Christian the more difficult it is for me to keep central the hope of salvation and the promise of delivery. I forget Jesus own Baptism and his embrace of God's foregoing message 'repent for the kingdom of God is near.' I do not repent because I have already dealt with the big things. I do not need the stress of God reshaping all the small stuff too.<br /><br />The Pharisees in Matthew are nothing if not manipulative and petty. They love to play theological games and they shun the popular religion of the people. They were simply too smart for all of it. The masses were baptized by the overly opinionated John the Baptist and were now following the charismatic Jesus. In Matthew 21 Jesus has been bantering with the Pharisees when he finally decides he has had enough. Jesus has continually shown his power to heal humanity, cast out demons, and has won the love of those who loved themselves. But the Pharisees are still more concerned with their own authority and are blinded by their own piety. And in Matthew 21 they are failing to see Jesus' patience in dealing with their petty theological traps... traps seeking to question the authority of Jesus rather than recognizing his power to change even their own stubborn ways. Boiling over Jesus finally turns to them and says. "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." The Pharisees must have looked so ridiculous...like men on their death bed questioning the flavor of their medicine. No matter how many times they saw God's saving power it was not dignified enough for them to accept for their real world problems. <br /><br />I am reminded of how many times at TCC I have seen the oppressed delivered, the captive set free, the addicted find wholeness, and angry people find peace. Yet, so often I am still playing petty games with Jesus, more concerned about my own authority than I am Jesus' ability to heal me of my hang-ups. As believers it is tempting to become armchair theologians smoking our proverbial pipes and saying things like "What's so bad about evil?" We journey with our wounded hearts, our anxiety for life, and hidden desires both good and bad. When in reality the witness of God's saving power is all around us...calling us to repentance...a repentance which could allow us to experience 'The Kingdom of God' reigning in our world <br /><br />Final question:<br />What problems do you continually play games with, rather than acknowledging God's power can bring you peace?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7067479275819348120-1495109482072081819?l=tccdiscipleship.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Andrew Bradleynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067479275819348120.post-21787007128572403992009-10-29T12:53:00.000-07:002009-10-29T12:53:25.900-07:00WelcomeWelcome to TCC's new discipleship website. It is in the form of a blog. Follow us you will be glad you did. Our goal is to provide weekly devotions to help you in your spiritual walk and keep you growing!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7067479275819348120-2178700712857240399?l=tccdiscipleship.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Andrew Bradleynoreply@blogger.com0