The students of the stars had seen the sign of the coming of the greatest king of all. The one who would bring His eternal kingdom of life and light, deliverance and freedom, healing and forgiveness, love and peace, truth and justice, equality and respect. He’s greatest expression of God’s love.
Everyone desires peace. Peace in the mind, body, spirit, emotions, relationships, environment and circumstances. A dwelling place of refuge and rest, to live in and from. Before Jesus went to the cross He promised to His disciples at the time and for all eternity that in Him there is such a place.
We live in a world damaged by evil. Darkness is all around. Yet the darker the darkness the brighter the light shines. Light pushes back the darkness, illuminates and reveals itself.
At a time before Jesus went to the cross He sat on the Mount of Olives with His disciples. In a private moment with them, they asked about the end of the age and how to inherit the kingdom. So Jesus shared a true story with them about the sheep and the goats and what will take place at His coming.
During His time on earth Jesus spoke to the multitudes in stories to convey a spiritual truth about God and His Kingdom. Through these stories Jesus reveals things hidden since the beginning of the world. He explains to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure.
Throughout the history of humanity stories have been an integral part of cultural expression. Everyone loves a good story. Today we will explore the reality of the battle of the two kingdoms. The kingdom of darkness, evil and brokenness and the kingdom of light, goodness and love.
Jesus spoke of many parables regarding the Kingdom. Jesus in His earthly mission inaugurates the Kingdom. As King He is the embodiment of it. In power He demonstrates it and in truth proclaims it. He breaks through fear bringing freedom and healing.
A gift given for no other reason than because one so loves is very special. Given without any expectation of anything in return. It is an expression of an unconditional love. Today this Christmas we will unwrap the greatest gift of all given out of the greatest love of all.
Jesus knows His time has come to leave this world and return to God the Father. He will carry the full force of human brokenness, depravity and shame. Suffer public humiliation, torture and pain. Through a total violation of all cultural boundaries He was about to demonstrate the love of the servant king.
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the first born from the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth. He is both trustworthy and truthful because of who He is, what He has done and will do. His victory is ours to receive in time now and time future. Encounter the risen Christ in the book of the Revelation of Jesus.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who is compassionate, hates injustice and offences, wants to settle accounts, wipe off debts and restore a relationship of no offence or obligation. The Kingdom of Heaven is founded on forgiveness and rooted in love.
When Jesus walked the earth as a man He told many stories about the kingdom. We live in God’s kingdom now in Jesus victory over evil, in this world damaged by evil. Journey through the story of the wheat and the tares and discover who are the good seed and how good seed produces good fruit.