The Kingdom of God that Jesus achieves

The Kingdom of God that Jesus achieves

 

Luke 6:12~26

 

Although Jesus' daily life was busy, he always found time to pray alone. Jesus chooses twelve from among his disciples and calls them apostles. Afterwards, Jesus comes down to the plains and teaches and heals the gathered crowd. Jesus declares blessings to those who are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, and persecuted. This is because the kingdom of God belongs to these people. On the other hand, God declares woe to those who are rich, full, laughing, and praised by taking advantage of the unjust world. Now that the kingdom of God has come, their situation will be reversed.

 

Jesus appointed various people as apostles (13-16). This shows the inclusiveness and equality of God's kingdom. Excluding people is making the Kingdom of God a narrow place, and discriminating is making the Kingdom of God no different from a secular empire. Is our community an open and equal place for people?

Jesus calls ordinary fishermen, socially criticized tax collectors, and zealots who challenge vested interests as disciples. He also calls Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. These people show that the kingdom of God is open to everyone. In the same way, we too were called only by grace, without considering qualifications. This is why we must always be humble and grateful and carry out the Lord's work.

 

Jesus, who ‘came down’ from the mountain, heals many sick people with the power he gained through prayer (verses 17-19). He came closer to serve more people in a lower place. Among them, there are not only Jews but also ‘Gentiles’ from far away. Jesus does not distinguish between Jews and Gentiles, and heals ‘everyone’ who clings to him out of desperation. The true rest and peace that the Roman emperor cannot give comes through Jesus.

 

 

The kingdom of God is a kingdom that reverses the current situation (20-26). Blessed are those who rejoice in an honest life even if they are poor, and who stand on the side of justice even if they are hated. Are we now worthy of disciples who will own the kingdom of God?

 

The ‘poverty, hunger, tears, and persecution’ of those who have accepted the kingdom of God will be a blessing, but woe to those who have become drunk and rich and full of this world. Therefore, a comfortable and generous life that does not yearn for the kingdom of God cannot be a blessing. In this way, saying that material prosperity or a life without suffering is a blessing is a distortion of the gospel. Shouldn't we, who are called to be disciples, revise the values ​​and goals of our lives through this declaration of blessing and misfortune?

 

Lord, help us to live as disciples who are honest even is poverty, and does is right even when hated.

Don’t let us lose our future blessings because of the convenience and benefits that are right in front of us now!

Let us interpret life according to the standards of the kingdom of God and live a life that aims for eternal blessings!

 

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