I believe that there are at least three really big questions that leaders in the “way of Jesus” ought to be asking. One of the questions is “what is a disciple and how do you make one? I’ve discussed this question previously. A second question that must be asked is; what is the “good news message of Jesus”? We assume we know the answer to these questions. We assume that the programs and strategies in the typical church are addressing these issues. We’ve been told in church or in our training what the answer to these questions are. But have we clearly thought through the questions based on the life and teachings of Jesus? Have we taken the time to evaluate our current assumptions about these issues? Are we so convinced we’re “right” that we are satisfied even if we’re “wrong”?
I believe that one of the key roles of a leader is to ask the “right” questions. I believe that we need to start over and re-think these questions. If we don’t get these things right then most everything else will be wrong. Answering these questions isn’t easy. It will take much study, effort and thinking. Wrestling with these foundational issues will challenge us and our theology in many ways.
In my own journey, I’ve come to the place that I believe that the gospel as it is typically understood may be distorted. I’m sure the distortion is unintentional, but it’s a distortion none the less. The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus came “preaching the good news of the kingdom”. (See Matthew 4:23, Mark 1: 14-15, and Luke 4: 43) So what was this good news message of Jesus? What is the “kingdom” that he talked about? Did Jesus come preaching “heaven when you die?” Why does it seem like the good news is bad news for so many today?
It is absolutely amazing to me that Jesus never once defined the kingdom. Jesus never clearly and simply explains this concept. Here we have the most important message ever, and it’s really kind of vague. Sure I know the dictionary answers. The kingdom is the rule and reign of God. The kingdom is the sphere of God’s rule. Others have said the kingdom is God’s agenda for the world or God’s dream of what he wants the world to be. (An in depth study of the concept of Kingdom in the Bible is crucial).
So why doesn’t Jesus make this important concept more clear? Jesus often used the phrase “the kingdom is like”, but he never made it crystal clear. Could it be that Jesus’ intent was to stir curiosity? Could there be more to the phrase “seek first the kingdom” than just making the kingdom our first priority? Maybe the answer is in the never ending search.
I would love to say that I have it all cleared up. I would love to say that I can explain everything – but you know I can’t. I know this - I certainly don’t want to give a clear and simple definition to something that Jesus never did.
So here are a few random thoughts that I think are true:
• To be converted to Christ means to give ones allegiance to the King and his Kingdom.
• To follow Christ means to align our lives with God’s dream for the world. Micah 6:8 has become one of my life verses. I think it shares God’s dream. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Sin means missing the mark. It means to be out of alignment with God’s kingdom agenda.
• Repentance means to change our thinking (our mind) and to re-order our lives according to God’s dream.
• Jesus is the living demonstration of the Kingdom and its values.
• In the Gospel accounts, “faith” was much simpler than we typically make it. People didn’t have to believe as many things as most are required to today.
• Sometimes people were forgiven by Jesus without any obvious confession, repentance or asking.
• The following are some key words that I believe are included in the concept of “the good news of the kingdom”. Acceptance – Inclusion – Grace – Love – Forgiveness – Hope – Peace – Life – Wholeness – Justice – and Service.
• The good news includes the ideas that all are loved – all are welcome – all are offered forgiveness – all are offered life. The good news includes God loving each one of us and wanting to be our friend.
• Following Jesus involves entering a community, a movement, and a way of life – the kingdom way.
• The clearest definition of the Kingdom I’ve found is offered by Paul in Romans 14:17. “The kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”. The word righteousness is often translated using the word “justice” instead. The word peace is linked to the Hebrew word “Shalom”. Shalom carries the idea of wholeness. So Romans 14:17 in the Ken Shuman paraphrase reads: “the kingdom of God is… justice, wholeness, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God’s desire is to restore us to wholeness. God’s desire is that we would work to make the world a better place by serving the overlooked and the ignored. God’s desire is that we would work to bring justice to systems that are currently fostering injustice. God’s desire is that we would experience his joy as we enter more fully into his life.
• I believe that the good news is about restored life. Life as God intended it to be lived. As we align our lives with God’s dream for the world we begin to experience life at a higher level. I think that following the way of Jesus is a better way to live in the here and now not just in the hereafter.
• I believe the kingdom has come and is yet to come.
• The model prayer of Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s really interesting to me that Jesus didn’t say that we should pray for souls to be saved so they can go to heaven.
Well there is no way that I can write everything I’m thinking about the good news of the kingdom in one blog post. There is no way I can bring clarity to something that I’m still unclear about. This post reflects some of my current thinking; however, and I would love for you to help me with your thoughts and input. Let the “seeking” begin!
