Alive: Lent DevotionalsSample

Alive: The kingdom is you

How does God’s rule come about on Earth? The Pharisees of Jesus’ day would have insisted this was a matter for God to determine. Our place was to wait passively for it to happen. The best we could do was to look out for signs of its arrival.

Jesus presented things differently. He brought God’s presence, power, and authority into human affairs in a dynamic way, so that anything which prevents the thriving of creation would be ultimately overcome.

However, by describing the kingdom as “in your midst,” Jesus suggests we have a part to play. The phrase He uses might be better translated “within your grasp.”

As we accept God’s invitation to be His hands and feet, we help to bring about the healing of His creation so that His rule is made manifest.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ,

In Your coming to Earth You made known to us the reality of God’s kingdom. Give us courage to lay hold of the power and authority You have entrusted to us, and to partner with You in revealing Your rule on Earth as in Heaven. Amen.

Author: Ian Parkinson, Church Pastoral Aid Society