This is, first and foremost, a blog about the kingdom of God.
This blog is rooted in the firm belief the word “Kingdom” is not merely a contentless adjective for Christians to use to sound more spiritual in their religious conversations but is in fact an administration with territory, earthly and spiritual, with people, including citizens and enemies, with a purpose, along with a rival kingdom opposing that purpose, and most importantly, with a King.
I was reading the Christmas story in the first chapter of Luke yesterday and saw something I’m sure I had seen before but had not fully registered. When Gabriel spoke to Mary and described for the first time the child she would give birth to and His purpose, he said this, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Luke 1:32-33.
In other words, the first thing Gabriel said to Mary relative to Jesus’ purpose was about His role as a king and His kingdom. Rooted in the Christmas story is the Kingdom story. The Jews were expecting only an earthly king; they didn’t realize that Jesus was more than that—He was to be King of heaven and earth. Therefore, He would lay down His life, be resurrected and ascend to the right hand of the Father where He would reign until as King of heaven and earth, until all His enemies were put under His feet. I Corinthians 15:24-28.
Christmas is not just a celebration of the birth of a Savior but of a King, and the birth of His kingdom. Have a Merry Christmas! GS
Very true. It makes me think of so many people who were named or mentioned in the Bible that may have seemed to play a minor role in God’s story but they are remembered by God. His economy is often different than ours.
True. Thanks for the comment.