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. However, 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. 

Israel had been longing for this kingdom. It was expected that God would send a Messiah (or King) who would usher in a new, unprecedented age of blessing, peace, and joy. We might think of 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…

The word Jesus uses for “at hand,” or “is near,” can mean both “already at hand” and “not yet at hand”. 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 glimpses… 

Several years ago, I attended a dedication ceremony for a Habitat home. I remember looking at the house, thinking about what a labor of love it had been for 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 own her own home. I was right up front. In fact, I was so close that I could see the tears running down her face as they handed her the keys… 

It was a glimpse of this kingdom.

This makes me wonder where you have seen glimpses yourself… While the kingdom is not yet here in its fullness, 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. 

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