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The Kingdom of God

On 20^th August 1940, almost one year after the start of the Second World War, Swiss-born Brother Roger arrived in a small village in Burgundy, South-east France. He bought two derelict houses in which to help war victims- abandoned children, Jews fleeing Nazi persecution; members of the resistance. Forced to flee by the Gestapo in 1942, he returned in 1944. Five years later the first brothers began to arrive.

Most surprisingly every Summer thousands of young people from every continent were drawn to this place- to Taize. Some come to discover the meaning of life, and find one of Christ's secrets, that He loves them first; that He loves them forever.

In 2005, with a community of 100 brothers, brother Roger was stabbed to death in his own Church at the age of 90, by a woman who was mentally ill.

 In August this year  Archbishop Rowan Williams visited Taize for three days, speaking to the 5000, mostly young, pilgrims.

On this Remembrance Sunday, perhaps it is good to remember that while war was waging in Europe, Africa and the Far East, this community, which promotes a “Pilgrimage of Trust” was in its infancy. Whilst kingdoms, nations and empires rise and fall, the Kingdom of God continues to be built.

In Mark 1 we read of Jesus calling his first disciples, preaching the Good News of the Gospel and calling people to repent. That message unlike the world around us has never changed.

This Kingdom is Brought near/ close at hand in the person of Christ and yet finds complete fulfillment in the future

It is a Kingdom where God's will is to be done on earth as it is in Heaven- and Jesus teaches us to pray that in the family or Lord's prayer.

It is a kingdom where the lost are found and broken relationships are restored – as in the parables of the lost coin, sheep and son.

It is a Kingdom of phenomenal growth and worth- growth as in the parable of the mustard seed- the smallest of seeds, yet phenomenal growth; and such worth that the merchant sells all he has to buy the pearl of great price.

 

1. 1) It is essentially a Spiritual Kingdom

It is not the political kingdom that first century Jews were hoping would release them from Roman occupation.

It is entered through repentance and faith in the person of Jesus Christ.

It results in eternal life- abundant life to be lived in all its fullness on earth, and to continue through death into God's presence.

2) The Kingdom of God is an Ethical Kingdom

The kingdom of God is defined by the inner moral attitude being as important as the outward action.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus repeatedly says “You have heard it said... but I tell you”. He moves his hearers beyond the legalistic interpretation of the Old Testament Law, to the moral spiritual intent of it:

It is not only adultery that is condemned but the lust that leads to it; not just murder, but the hatred which precedes the act.

This is a Kingdom which sees as blessed people the world considers of no worth:

The poor in Spirit and those who mourn;

the meek and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness;

the merciful and the pure in heart;

the peace-maker and those persecuted for righteousness.

It is to these people that the Kingdom of Heaven is granted, who see God and become His children.

3)The Kingdom of God is a Universal Kingdom

The Jews conceived of God's Kingdom, a theocracy, as relating just to Israel. However God's plan was always broader.

His original promise to Abraham was that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). This is also contained in the prophets that Israel would be a blessing beyond her national boundaries, culminating with the coming of Christ as a light to the Gentiles.

In Christ's ministry, though he came first to the lost sheep of Israel, and wept over Jerusalem at their rejection of Him, he also ministered to Gentiles including the Roman centurion, and reserved his highest praise for the faith of someone who was not Jewish.

Today our ministry is to be universal, to all the nations of the world, and to Israel.

In this way we fulfil the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20.

Not only people, but our world is to be restored in God's Kingdom

In Christ's ministry he took authority over the created order, turning water into wine and miraculously feeding the five thousand; by walking on water and stilling the storm.

Paul says that creation groans in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed, when the consequences of the Fall upon the natural order will be also be healed.

It is therefore very much part of our calling as the Kingdom of God to give priority to our planet, its resources and sustainability through sound ecological practice.

We all leave a “carbon footprint” on our planet and there are many on-line questionnaires to see how green we are. We must address it and as a Church be part of that, whether through audits, changing light-bulbs, conserving paper or reducing road and air-miles.

In December there is a World Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. Here on the Island the Quakers are organising daily vigils at the Quay Arts Centre throughout the period. If we can possibly attend that would be great, or support by our prayers.

Conclusion

The Kingdom of God presents us with many challenges: Spiritual, Ethical and Universal ones.

All the things that Christ brought near will reach completion in the New heavens and New Earth that John describes in Revelation:

“The dwelling of God will be with men and He will live with them. They will be His people and He will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3&4);

“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst..for the Lamb at the centre will be their shepherd and lead them to springs of living water” (Revelation 7:16&17).

As Christ fed the hungry.. so there will be no more hunger or thirst

As those who mourn were comforted, so God will wipe every tear from their eyes

As Christ raised some who had died.. one day there will be no more death

Today we remember the wars that have occurred particularly in the last 100 years and still continue in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and so many places, we pray for God's Kingdom to come, that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, knowing that one day that will be a reality.

» left by Marijo Phelps⁽²⁰²⁾ (2 years 75 days ago.)

Neat especially for our Veteran's Day - do you celebrate something like that in UK? Good focus and piece, Anne! Marijo

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» left by Anne Linington from Isle of Wight, UK (2 years 75 days ago.)

Yes Marijo, we have Remembrance Day on November 11th with 2 minutes silence at 11.00am; Remembrance Sunday is the nearest Sunday- this year Nov. 8th.

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