A new kind of Kingdom "The kingdom of heaven is like…" These words introduce several of the parables that Jesus uses as he teaches his followers. But have YOU ever stopped to ponder the phrase “the kingdom of heaven?” I wonder if you begin to picture some far-off kingdom in the clouds with angels and cherubs and harps. I don’t think you would be alone. But when we stop and read and listen to the parables and what Jesus is teaching, we are brought down to earth. All these parables are grounded (some literally) in the day-to-day goings on of life. Jesus is talking of the kingdom of heaven happening here on earth. He is not talking of a “one day, if you get to Heaven” ideal. His desire is for his followers (then and now) to live as if God is already King, and his ways are established here and now. When we live in this way, we begin to see how this world’s standards often fall far short of the trans-formative nature of God’s rule. And we will see how God’s love, mercy, justice, and compassion shape and form His character in his children. Again, this is not something that might await some of us someday; the kingdom of heaven is evident whenever and wherever we live according to Kingdom principles. There are many practical ways to live as a disciple…to follow Jesus. Let’s make sure that living as a citizen of “the kingdom of heaven” is on the list. Not in theory…but in practice. What might it look like for you to: - Love your neighbor as yourself…
- Bear one another’s burdens…
- Forgive those who sin against you…
- Love God with all you have…
- Seek first the Kingdom of heaven and live in it now!
Blessings,
Matthew+ O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 231) | 
