The Transcending Kingdom of God

[A General Perspective]

I have grown up in a Christian home. Christianity has been engrained in my worldview. During my college experience my worldview has gone through deconstruction and is now in the process of restoration. The next few blogs wrestle with the questions that were addressed in the previous blog and is apart of the restoration taking place in my life. I do admit that I could be completely wrong as I filter these thoughts – I am young, impressionable, and passionate about this world. I believe in people and the language of love in my thoughts and actions: So here we go…

What is the Kingdom of God? It is something I have heard about my entire life. It is something we try to describe, conceive, and maintain. It is a call to do something. Scholars agree that the primary mission of Christ was simply, Kingdom of God.

“The Kingdom of God? Time after time Jesus tries to drum into our heads what he means by it. He heaps parable upon parable like a madman. He tries shouting it. He tries whispering it…What he seems to be saying is that the Kingdom of God is the time, or a time beyond time, when it will no longer be humans in lunacy who are in charge of the world but God in his mercy who will be in charge of the world. It’s the time above all else for wild rejoicing – like getting out of jail, like being cured of cancer, like finally, at long last, coming home. And it is at hand, Jesus says.”

- One of Frederick Buechner’s sermons (excerpt taken from Brian D. McLaren’s, Secret Message of Jesus, pg. 199, emphasis mine).

We live in a world of differences. We must take the multi-diversity that is represented in our country seriously. The fact is that since I was born in Bible-belt America the percentage rate of me becoming a Christian is quite high. I ask myself, “What if I was born in Afghanistan?” The percentage rate of me being a Muslim would also be high. Would I be Hindu if I was born in India? Etc.

When Jesus came on the scene He was having conversations with people who came from different backgrounds. He told stories of people who came from different worldviews and beliefs. As He brought clarity to an old worldview He ushered in a new one.

[Have you noticed how Christ transcends culture?]

For example, in Christianity Jesus is central. Ghandi who was Hindu said, “I love your Christ but your Christians do not look like your Christ.” Richard Gere who is Buddhist said, “I see Jesus Christ here and now in the world and what He sees he is appalled at.” Judaism has a profound respect for Jesus as a prophet. Even the Qu’ran says Jesus was a prophet and a doer of miracles. Jesus transcends culture.

[If Christ transcends culture what does this say about the Kingdom?]

Everyone has their opinion and belief about who Jesus was and what He means to them. However, it can be said that the respect for Christ can be found in the predominant religions of today. I heard a recent conversation someone was having about Rob Bell being criticized because he had ministered in some bars – they said Rob responded with the Scripture from Psalm 24, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it…”

In a world of differences…the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.

In a world of differences…the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.

In a world of differences…the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.

Understanding who Christ is creates a completely new worldview. It is a worldview that sees hope in everyone and everything. It says the prayer, “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing…” contagious in the eyes of the follower. I heard an interview last year with Dan Brown (the writer of the Da Vinci Code) who emphasized that, “We worship the gods of our fathers.” – I believe this is true.

Again, I echo the words of Jesus – “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

The Christian must be an optimist, visionary, and example of the worldview pursued and accomplished through Jesus.

Since God created the world and everything in it – and sent His Son, Jesus who took upon sin so that we may be free indeed – then we must take hold of the words of Christ who listened to others who grew up, suffered, and lived differently. He rebuked worldviews of hate, violence, manipulation, disrespect, and exclusion. He actually gives the invitation directly to the poor.

Luke 6:1

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

[Conclusion]

The differences that you and I have are many. I am trying to understand a concept that confines the grounds of this earth and is seen through the eyes of Heaven. I am guilty for shrinking this Kingdom in my own life. However, I am beginning to see that this Kingdom is much bigger than what I imagined. It is not found in the rich or the hierarchies of cultural influence. It is found in a mustard seed. This Kingdom reaches to the slums and cursed parts of the earth. It redeems the darkness acted upon in the world through the light it gives. It is a city on a hill. This Kingdom transcends the way I grew up and you grew up. The least of these are of highest rank. It is found through the salvation that Jesus gives through His resurrection. It starts conversation. It is narrow. This Kingdom is on a clear road to restoration. This Kingdom will conquer the world. It is found in Jesus – His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. He transcends culture…think about it.

May we all see it in action -

Ultimately, it echoes the prayer of Christ,

“On earth as it is in heaven…”

Mark 9:1

And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."