At Hand…

At the very beginning of his ministry, Mark tells us, “Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near…’”

We don’t use the word kingdom much these days… unless you are into Disney Princess movies – which we were in our family for many years. But, it would have been a very familiar concept for those of Jesus’ day… The Greek word is “Basileia” meaning, the personal rule and presence of the king.

In Israel, this kingdom was longed for. It was expected that God would send a Messiah (or King) who would usher in a new unprecedented age of blessing, peace, and joy. You might think about it as a place and time when there will be no more hungry children in our communities; no more violence; no more destructive addictions; no more broken relationships, no more war.

Jesus says this kingdom, this new age, this realm is at hand…

Now the word Jesus uses for “at hand,” or “is near,” can mean both “already”, and, “not yet”. So what did Jesus mean? Well, he doesn’t resolve it for us. But, there are instances in the Bible, and in life, where we get the sense that it’s already begun. We get these glimpses…

I remember several years ago now being a dedication ceremony for a Habitat house. I remember looking at the house, thinking what a labor of love between both the community and the young woman who was to move in. (Hours and hours of work). We learned that she would be the first in her family for generations to ever own her own home. And I was right up front – so close that I could see the tears running down her face as they handed her the keys…

It was just this glimpse of the kingdom. Which makes me wonder where you have seen glimpses yourself… While the kingdom is not here in its fullness yet, I pray that you would pay attention to where you see it breaking in, here and now. May these glimpses give you hope. And, may they ever be an invitation to join in.

Let us pray: Holy God, draw us closer. Renew us and heal us. And, then grant us eyes to see, and hearts to follow. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.