Kingdom Stories

Clansi explores God's invitation to His kingdom through Jesus' stories.

When I was 10 years old, my grandparents gave me
a Bible. It’s actually sitting here right next to me on
the desk as I type this column. It’s a small Bible—
small enough to put in a handbag and has my name stamped
on the front. And it’s showing its age. The corners are worn,
some of the pages are starting to loosen and there’s plenty
of underlining through it.
I remember when I first got it, I used to like to turn through
the pages until I reached a double page spread with nothing
but red words. I was really excited by the fact that all of the
words I could see were words Jesus had spoken.
Jesus had a way with words—the skill of packing so much
meaning into His stories and parables. Words that still
surprise, shock, offend and comfort those who read them.
Some of His parables open with the words, “The kingdom of
God is like this. . . .” He would then go on to tell of small things
that became big, celebrations that included everybody, lost
things that were found and enemies who became friends.
The New Testament tells us that following Jesus means
being a part of this “kingdom.” But what does this mean for
us here and now? What is this kingdom all about?
One of Jesus’ last recorded “kingdom stories” is found in
Matthew 25:31-43. It describes the Son of Man coming in His
glory and separating the “sheep from the goats.” One group
is invited in and the other group is not. The groups that are
invited in are the ones who (according to verses 37-41) fed
the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, clothed the naked and
offered friendship to strangers. This is what the kingdom is
all about—it’s about love, caring and acceptance.
The New Testament has this idea of “now but not yet.” The
kingdom began with Jesus, so it is a reality now—but it will
only come to complete fulfilment when Jesus returns to
reign.
So although this world is not perfect, although things are
not “on earth as they are in heaven,” we can still be citizens of
the kingdom here and now. We can value what Jesus values,
living with the knowledge that we are the children of God.
We will live with Him forever and invite others to be part of
this kingdom of God.