It takes time for a disciple to begin to understand who we are in the kingdom of God. It takes time to understand our role in the kingdom NOW and rewards that are not yet. It takes time to discover the sharp distinction between living in and of the world and living in and of the Kingdom of God. 

Following Jesus means following him in his Kingdom life which is not of this world. We see Jesus openly admitting this to Pilate in John 18:36 – Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Jesus taught his disciples about the Kingdom of God he was bringing and how following him was a matter of the heart. Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

When Jesus died, his only possession was his seamless tunic. While still alive and being put on the cross, this too was taken from him and gambled away between the guards at his feet. At his death, Jesus owned nothing… 

The world and it’s trinkets draw the hearts of believers to abandon their first love. Yet the love of God, the presence of his Spirit, and the richness of his written word draws those on the path of discipleship into ever increasing revelations of the beauty and awe of our creator. We enter into the love of God that silences all and into a reverent hush radiant with joy and eternal pleasures forevermore.  

Maranatha, DrZ

Comments & Upvotes