Do Not Worry: Removing Barriers to the Kingdom Life

Remember, since the beginning God created us with our own sort of dominion. This is something we all experience. We each have little parts of life over which we have control –– this begins small (motor activity) and increases as we grow. The purpose, though, was to exercise our dominion within God’s agency. The problem is that we have chosen to act in competition with God’s activity.

However, God remains active in this world. Jesus’ good news is that God has a special place for us in his project, and he offers us the ability to work with God. If we are to do so, we must recognize and overcome some barriers.

Three Barriers to Entering the Kingdom Life and Co-Working with God:

1. Timing
2. Anxiety over material needs
3. Control

I. Timing – Mk. 4:26-29

Jesus offers us a parable. There are two characters important to this parable: a farmer and an unseen power. The farmer, of course, spreads seed on the ground. Now, he sees it sprout and grow, but he does not know how it does this. There seems to be an unseen power at work creating change in the seed that has been spread and planted. To him it appears that “All by itself, the soil produces grain –– first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”

What the farmer does recognize, though, is when it is the appropriate time for him to work. “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the time for harvest has come.” In other words, though the farmer does not understand the unseen power at work, he does know how to time his interactions with this power. He knows when to sow the seed. He knows how to wait patiently. He knows how to recognize the right time for harvest, when to act again.

The key to his recognition consists of two attributes: patience and readiness.

These are, maybe, difficult for us because there is something in us today that is eager to see quick results. It’s the sensation of immediate gratification. This has, of course, impacted how we co-work with God – often encouraging us to act more like “directors/managers” for God.

When we look at how God has worked throughout history, we begin to see that his timing is much different than ours. The times of greatest faith have been when humans are able to act in concert with God’s activity and God’s time (“When the time was right…”).

• Can you think of a time in which the “harvest” was performed before the plant had properly developed? What problem does acting prematurely bring about?
• How would our work with God change if we thought in terms of timed interactions like planting and harvesting, rather than “forming” or “building” or “directing” things for God? How would it affect your way of praying? Of helping?

II. Anxiety Over Material Needs – Mt. 6:24-34

This is found, of course, in the framework of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ point, I think, can be summarized by his first sentence: “No one can serve two masters.” This statement connects the prior section (Where are your treasures?) with this section (Do not worry.). One’s primary concern in life cannot be centered on the gaining of material wealth and on participating in the kingdom. It is simply not possible to have eyes to see both opportunities at the same time.

It’s interesting that Jesus does not get at the superficial material wealth. His focus is on the things most would consider as necessary for sustaining life. For most, we’re at least concerned about how to stay alive on earth, and we can quickly become caught in the trap of living in bondage to the fear of physical death. Perhaps we’re even concerned that life on earth is not safe, and so we must do something about it. In order to protect ourselves from physical death, we worry about gaining for ourselves the necessary resources to sustain our lives: food, clothing, and shelter. Jesus says that this is how the Gentiles live –– filled with depression about how they look and anxiety about how they will be filled.

The problem is that anxiety and worry have a way of strangling us. Ironically, though we store up these treasures to sustain life, we have, in doing so, choked out true life in the kingdom. Jesus offers us a way out –– a sort of freedom to pursue life. There are those, it seems, who, though they work, they do not worry about things “on earth.” Instead, they seek first the kingdom. Their top priority is to sustain God’s good life in themselves rather than sustaining their own life through fear of losing it. What they find is that as they pursue the kingdom life, as they make God’s life their treasure, he provides them what is needed. Perhaps even during times of earthly depravity they are filled.

• What do you worry about, and how would it change if your focus was upon God’s activity?

III. Control – Mt. 19:23-26

Here, we encounter a wealthy man who seeks to be in control of things on his own. Though he comes asking Jesus about eternal life, the true intent behind his question is, “How can I gain eternal life within my own control through my own power.”

He is used to controlling things through his wealth. The disciples even seem to think that his material wealth reveals some great righteousness within this man. Hearing Jesus’ words and seeing the despair as the young man walks away, knowing he cannot gain true life on his own, they ask, “Who then can be saved” (How is it possible for anybody, if not for him)? Jesus’ response goes something like this: Within the confines of your own control and power, it is impossible. As God’s power is concerned, however, anything becomes possible.

His point is clear. If we are to co-work with God in his kingdom, we must learn to be “out of control.” We must release the reigns. The projects within God’s kingdom into which we will be called will require more resources than you can control. This lesson, it seems, is particularly difficult for those who have experienced the power that comes with wealth. With God’s help, however, it is possible, even for those of wealth, to learn how to work with God beyond their own limited control.

• Have you ever shied away from a project, which you knew to be God’s will, simply because there were too many factors involved that seemed to be out of your control?
• If you were not afraid of someone else getting the credit or of possible failure, what good work would you take on today? What might God be calling you to release control of today?

::FOR THIS WEEK::

This week, focus your thoughts, prayers, and activities on these questions and barriers. Pray that you will have eyes to see God’s kingdom at work around you and that you will not be afraid to join him.

God Here and Now: The Kingdom Is At Hand

Have you ever heard the saying, “Give a person a fish, and you’ll feed them for a day; Teach a person to fish, and you’ll feed them for a lifetime”? In a sense, Jesus’ kingdom is one we are meant to come alongside in order to learn how to fish, not simply sit back and wait for the fish to be thrown our way.

In Matthew 13:15-17, Jesus identifies that the people of Israel have closed themselves off. They do not understand with their hearts because they do not see with their eyes and do not hear with their ears. Sure, they physically see and hear what’s going on, but they do not take the time to truly see and hear in order to understand.

Too often, we read the gospels assuming that our relation to Jesus is that of a spectator. Jesus acts. We look on and, perhaps, applaud him. Jesus performs a miracle, and we’re marveled. Jesus dies as a martyr for God’s cause and our salvation. We thank him. Jesus rises again, and we worship him. But it is all something we do passively and from a distance, as though sitting in the bleachers watching the game being played or sitting in our comfortable lawn chairs on the bank of the river watching others catch the fish.

The gospels, though, were meant to be read differently. They were designed to be read much more like a novice chess player scrutinizes the games of a chess master. Like a quarterback analyzes film to imitate the motion of the greats. Like a musician listens to the classics or the best on their instrument. They are to be read much more like an apprentice who is trying to become like her or his master, not just simply to learn about or retain facts about the master.

So we read stories about Jesus, and, though we are perhaps puzzled, we are searching and awaiting insights into the inner mind and logic and meaning of Jesus’ deed or word. We try to do things Jesus taught and modeled. Occasionally we fail, but when we fail, we are attentive to what went wrong in comparison to our master. Our reading, today, is meant to draw us out of the role of spectator and into the role of an apprentice.

Mark 1:14-15

We’ve encountered this term, “the kingdom of God,” before and reworded it as “the reign of God.” We have even incorporated the use of the term “dominion” (Gen 1). There was a writing present in Jesus’ day that offers us a slightly better understand of this terminology. It actually carries a double connotation. To speak of God’s reign (in this writing) was to speak of:

1. God acting in strength.
2. God revealing himself through those acts of strength.

In other words, Yahweh makes himself known to humanity through his remarkable displays of power (action) in the world. God’s character (who he is) becomes visible in his activity among us. Some examples of how this gets translated:

• “Yahweh of hosts will come down to wage war” becomes “So the kingdom of Yahweh of hosts will be revealed.”
• “Here is your God” becomes “The kingdom of your God is revealed!” (in the context of this particular writing, this is displayed through God’s armies wielding military power and conquering the enemy)
• “Your God reigns” becomes “The kingdom of your God is revealed.”

Jesus, in reading this, forms his instruction, retaining the same sort of idea of God’s kingdom and revelation. Therefore, Jesus’ use of “the kingdom of God” refers to God’s activity and revelatory action (how he makes himself known). To put it simply: the kingdom of God is what God is doing here and now.

::READ AND CONSIDER::

Read through the following texts and consider this question: How does Jesus emphasize God’s character in various ways?

• Matthew 11:28-30
• Matthew 5:43-45
• Matthew 18:21-22
• Matthew 19:17

In these texts, we come to witness our Father who is gentle, humble, loving, merciful, and forgiving. Jesus words in texts like these are the marks of God’s activity in this world, revealing his qualities to us.

So Jesus tells us that God’s kingdom/God’s activity is “at hand,” meaning it is happening right where you are.

• Where in your life do you see a need for such qualities in action?
• What thoughts (inner self-talk) or external pressures stop you from (or cause you to hesitate in) expressing these qualities?

Jesus continues, “Repent!” Repent may be a poor translation. The underlying word simply means to “rethink.” In other words, Jesus calls us to reconsider, in light of God’s activity here and now, what is real vs. an illusion, what is possible vs. impossible, what is worthwhile vs. a waste of time and energy, what is wise and intelligent vs. hopelessly foolish. Since God is doing something right where you are, think again! “Think again and trust the good news!” Don’t simply believe but place your confidence in the promise of God’s activity here and now.

Let’s put this into practice, now. Let’s rethink the self-talk or pressures that block us from acting in compassion, gentleness, mercy, love, and so on…

• Regarding our inner self-talk and external pressures, how specifically would you re-evaluate your thoughts (shift your thinking) if you were confident in God’s activity for good here and now?

You may be wondering, “This all sounds great, but how do I gain confidence in the first place?” Confidence (or trust/faith…all the same word) grows through use. This requires risk. Think about it.

• The only way you can grow in confidence in asking a girl/guy on a date is by risking yourself in asking in the first place.
• The only way you can grow in confidence as a batter is to risk stepping up to the plate.
• The only way you can grow in confidence as a trumpet or trombone player or percussionist is by picking up the instrument (and risk sounding like a fool).
• Later in the job world (or when applying for colleges), our confidence in these markets will only increase as we risk ourselves to them by applying and offering our skillset.

Likewise, my confidence in God’s activity in the world increases when I risk, in so far as my current measure of trust/faith will allow, in order to act in partnership with God.

::FOR THE WEEK AHEAD::

Think about your coming activities and interactions this week. Ask yourself, “How might I concretely risk acting in concert with God (and his qualities) this week?”

 

*Credit for much of the material in this lesson and those that follow must be given to Dr. Daniel Napier, Professor of Theology at Austin Graduate School of Theology and Minister at Holland Street Church of Christ in San Marcos, Texas. Thank you, Daniel, for your many lessons already taught and those still to come, training so many to become apprentices of Jesus.

Standing On Our Heads: An Upside-Down Kingdom

Thinking back to our story from last semester, we understood the “image of God” as co-dominion, in which we are called to place our little kingdoms under the ultimate reign of God (kingdom defined as “sphere of influence or will”). In Gen. 3, of course, we reject God’s kingdom for independent rule. It is, indeed, a rebellion. Since then, our story can be summarized as God’s plan for re-establishing his kingdom among his human creatures, beginning with Israel.

So the call for humans has been to join their own will to that of the father, thus allowing God’s way of doing things to influence and shape their ways (we see this very clearly in the intended role of Israel’s kings). Therefore, this will be our ultimate goal: to exist under the reign of God through which our actions within our sphere of influence may become evidence of God’s own actions.

Before we can rightly come under God’s reign, we must first be able to recognize, or see, it –– to see something taking place and say, “That’s God at work. I’m going to join in there.” In order to have eyes that can see that clearly, we need to have ears to hear and understand what God’s kingdom actually looks like. To do so, we will be reading and looking at various teachings Jesus offers on what the kingdom of God is like.

::A BEGINNING EXERCISE::

Take a look at the following image. What do you see?

An old woman? A young lady? What about this next image?

Two people facing each other? A vase?

In doing this exercise, we come to see pretty quickly that things aren’t always as they appear. Sometimes we have to shift our vision a bit in order to see everything that may be going on, and see it clearly.

Within God’s kingdom, this is true. There was once a man doing high-speed maneuvers in a jet. As he attempted to adjust the controls for what he thought would be a steep ascent, he flew straight into the ground, never realizing that he had been flying upside-down the entire time (illustration from Dallas Willard). As we enter into this study, it will be necessary that we come into it expecting a sort of shift in vision to take place. We must get our bearings and be reoriented; otherwise we risk crashing and burning because we’re flying upside-down. There are a couple of texts in Matthew that will help us in this pursuit.

Matthew 20:20-28

Time Magazine puts out an annual issue of the top 100 most influential people. Who are the “great” people of the world, and what makes them great?

There is a struggle for greatness, even among the disciples. This is not just a struggle between two brothers but among all twelve (as we see in v. 24). They want to sit in the positions of power and authority next to the messiah. They want to be recognized. They want to be first.

Jesus has already told them the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. A landowner hires people at different times throughout the day to work his field. When the end of the day comes, the owner called the workers in to pay them. He paid them beginning with the last workers hired and going on to the first, and he paid them all a day’s wage. Of course, those hired earlier in the day complained against the landowner.

Often the point gets lost in this parable because we, too, think, “Hey, that’s unfair! What does that have to say about the kingdom?!” What Jesus wants us to focus on in the parable is not the fairness or unfairness because that’s not the point. He wants us to notice the order of things –– that there were some who had been working since early in the morning, then some since 9, then noon, then 3, then 5. At the end of the day, they all received the same wages, with the pay coming in reverse order (5 to early in the morning). Jesus’ point is seen in v. 16: “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” This turns the social norms on their head. The things we expect to happen in the way we expect them to happen are upside down. If we are to see the kingdom, we must begin to look at things as though standing on our heads.

Jesus’ point to the disciples in vv. 25-28 is the same. Greatness is not attained by the one who can manipulate their way to the top –– the one who can outmaneuver and out flank all the rest. Greatness is not found in being lord over others. Greatness is not accomplished simply by being known or famous. True greatness is found in the one who serves. It is the one who takes up the kingdom of God, as displayed in Jesus giving of his own life to deliver many. Again, if we are to understand the kingdom, we must begin to look at things as though standing on our heads.

Let’s think of some modern day examples of this:

• What do you see as social norms today in terms of making it to the top, gaining greatness, being recognized, etc.?
• In your own social sphere, how do you see this play out? What kinds of behavior does this sort of attitude lead to?
• How might we see it differently if we began to look into our situations in an upside-down way?

Read Matthew 5:1-12

These words were a complete reversal of what was expected from these crowds as they sat and listened to Jesus. I think these words, in many ways, appear upside-down to many today. But should they be?

If Jesus was to offer a Sermon on the Mount for us today, who might he proclaim as “blessed”?

If we are to understand the kingdom, if we are to see it today, if we are to ever take part in it, we must begin to look at things as though standing on our heads. What we will begin to see is that we’re the ones who have been flying upside-down all along.

::FOR THE WEEK AHEAD::

This week, attempt to look into your situations in a new way. Look for those whom Jesus declares as “blessed,” and serve them there.