What on Earth Are you Doing?

When Jesus began his earthly ministry, he went to Galilee preaching the Message of God.  This was what you might call his ‘life’ message, the message he had come from heaven to earth to declare.  So what was this earth-shattering, all-encompassing, life-changing declaration from heaven?  Was it “believe in me and you’ll go to heaven when you die?”  No!  Far more than that!  Jesus preached, “Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand!  Or as The Message puts it, “Time’s up!  God’s kingdom is here.  Change your life and believe the Message!”

            Jesus came preaching the Good News of the kingdom of God –the Good News that he was bringing heaven’s rule and reign to earth.  This message was not just for eternity, but to restore to the earth realm the former glory of Eden.

            Jesus called his team and taught them to pray to the Father, “Let your kingdom come!  Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  He spent the next three years demonstrating the will of heaven - healing the sick, casting our demons, showing mercy and teaching about the love and provision of God.  He brought both the word and power of God to bear on earth and changed the things that did not line up with the way things are in heaven.

            After three years of demonstration and training, he instructed his followers to do the same.  They did.  They “turned Jerusalem upside down” and then began the process of taking this same message of hope to the rest of the world.

            This process is not yet complete.  The gospel of the kingdom is yet to be preached with signs and wonders following to many who have not yet heard it.  Our challenge as modern day disciples is this: are we sitting around leading a comfortable life, waiting to go to heaven when we die, or are we believing and acting on the real message?  Are we enforcing the rule and reign of heaven by healing the sick, casting out demons and providing for the poor?

            One day the king of heaven will return in all his glory and the church age will be at an end.  Until then let’s walk the walk as well as talk the talk!  Let’s “make the manifold wisdom of God known” and bring change to the earth realm –the same change that Jesus brought when he walked here.