What Planet Are you From? Part II

Do you ever feel as though no matter how hard you try, you’re never understood?  Do you often feel all alone even when you’re surrounded by others?  Does it feel as though others perceive you as an alien from a different planet?

The Hebrew word for alien is understood to mean “one who is not a part of any worldly culture, someone who doesn’t fit anywhere.”  This is something that the Psalmist clearly understood!

Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were (Psalm39:12).

Isn’t it interesting to consider that the Psalmist was dwelling with his Lord on earth at that moment in time?  It was always my understanding that this world is not my home and that I would someday “go to heaven” to live in the place that Father is preparing for me.  What I didn’t realize until more recently is that the word “heaven” was a common Jewish term for “God”, often substituted for the divine name to avoid possible misuse.  33 times, Matthew refers to the “kingdom of heaven”.  He only uses the “kingdom of God” 4 times.  Mark and Luke, however always refer to “the kingdom of God”.

The Hebrew and Greek words for kingdom primarily mean “rule” or “reign.” Both terms refer to the exercise of God’s power, dominion, or sovereignty.  The inauguration of the Kingdom of God was manifested in Jesus.  God’s kingdom is where Jesus is and He said that He is here now!

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15).

As the body of Christ, then, the Kingdom is within us.

Having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, Jesus answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21).

Jesus taught us to pray, saying, “Thy Kingdom come thy; will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Mat 6:10.  In that, we are praying, “May the Kingdom of God be accomplished in and through us wherever we go, whatever we do!”

Jesus told His disciples, Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’ (Luke 10:8-9)!

While I realize that a three part article may be difficult to follow, please hang in there with me for next week’s Part III.  I think that you’ll find the conclusion quite challenging!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845