by Rev Robert A Wendel
“We all know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding that we may know Him. Hear for I will speak noble things from my lips will come what is right.” (I John 5:20, Proverbs 8:6, Matt. 13 (NRSV.)
“Strive first for the Kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be given to you. He who wishes to be first, let him be the last of every man, and the (humble) minister to every man. (Matt. 23:11 Aramaic translation.)
Jesus’ disciples all focused on “The Kingdom”. Not that they were concerned about that honor of the King or the success of the Kingdom; no, what obsessed them was their place in that Kingdom. For them, the Kingdom was all about personal power, prominence and position. (Matt. 19:27).
In Mark 9:33-34 the disciples argued about who was the greatest of them. Jesus said, “The first one must be the last and servant of all. “ Those who follow Jesus should not suppose a prime place in the Kingdom of Heaven for themselves.
We love being in control. We love getting our own way. We love being indulged and served. We love being right. It’s hard to admit that we’re more like the disciples who all wanted first place. Jesus said that he did not come to use his power to make their little kingdoms work, but to welcome you, by grace, to a much greater Kingdom than you could get on your own. “I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-3, Psalm 145:13-13)NRSV).
One of the concise parables is contained in a single scripture verse – Matthew 13:33. Jesus taught them saying “The Kingdom is like yeast that a women took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked the dough.”
The woman had a plan. She introduced yeast into the dough and mixed it together. The yeast spread throughout the dough, it fermented, causing the dough to rise. The result was freshly baked bread. So it is with Heaven’s Kingdom. God always has a plan and a purpose. (Psalm 16:4)
Since it’s small beginnings 2000 years ago, Christianity has affected and elevated every successive culture and generation. God has placed his Church in the world permanently. Like yeast into dough, the Church cannot be taken out!