The very first words out of Jesus' mouth in the Gospel of Mark are these: "...Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel'” (Mark 1:14b-15, NASB). Other translations describe the Kingdom of God as "coming near." In other words, God's Kingdom is measured in terms of proximity. There is a closeness, a nearness to God's Kingdom. It's not fair to label the Kingdom as a place per se; instead, the Kingdom of God is a reign, it's a rule, one that displaces the current modes of corruption and domination. God's Kingdom means that every created person is a subject of King Jesus, and the King graciously includes and welcomes all to sit at the Table of His grace. In fact, this King loved the subjects of his Kingdom so much that He offered himself as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of his people (John 3:16). What kind of Kingdom is this, that a King lay down his own life for his friends (John 15:13)? It's a reign of justice, of peace, of hope, of forgiveness, of reconciliation and of lovingkindness. It's a Godly rule of goodness that extends from the top of the social totem pole all the way to the bottom, from the best of these to the worst of these, from those in first place to all those in last place, too.
It's a Kingdom of joy. Pure and simple.
So when Jesus comes onto the scene in Mark's Gospel (the earliest of the Gospel accounts), Jesus states that repentance is imperative for God's Kingdom is "at hand". As a preacher, I've proclaimed the good news of God's Kingdom "coming near" for years. This is actually what Advent is all about: Jesus came near to us in the form of a baby long ago, and the good news is that Jesus will come near to us again on his final return to earth to save his own. But Jesus is still in our midst now in the form of the Paraclete, the inspiring Holy Spirit. Never are we outside of God's reign as the Holy Spirit is wherever we are (and vice versa). There is a sense of immediacy with God's Kingdom rule, isn't there? "Nearness" is something we can talk about, discuss and celebrate as the body of Christ. We all want to be near to Love. What a relief to know that God came near in order that we might remain near to God for all time (James 4:8a). But I return yet again to that phrase of Jesus' in the NASB: "at hand". Why "at hand"? Why is this phrase important enough to give us pause? Why must we reflect on the blessing of God's Kingdom being "at hand"?
I have some responses to these questions that I believe have the power to preach God's loving truth to us all.
I find it simply beautiful to think about God's Kingdom blessings being so close, so near, so intimately available to us that they are within arm's reach. They are within our grasp. They are, if you will, "at hand". When something is within my reach it means that I can reach out and take hold of it. To be a part of something where my hand has an impact gives my life dignity and meaning! To know that I can clasp another's hand, that I can offer help, that I can make something useful, that I can heal someone's hurt, that I can pour someone a drink, that I can offer a hug in times of joy and sadness is what maximizing life is surely all about. What kind of Kingdom is God's that doesn't offer us the opportunity of participation? How demeaning would it be if we lived in a reign of domination where what was once in our hands has now been removed, perhaps even forcefully? How horrific and terrifying it would be to have our hands tied behind our backs or worse, cut off in order to conform to the selfish patterns of a sin-sick society? Well, the reality is that, due to our past choices, history demonstrates how our hands have been maimed, mistreated and maligned...and how we've done the same to the hands of others, too.
But in God's Kingdom, a Kingdom reign and rule of love and empathy and forgiveness, everyone can enjoy these blessings by simply lending a hand. After all, God's is a Kingdom "at hand" and always will be. It's a Kingdom that liberates and rejoices in the truth. It's a Kingdom that blesses others through the participating grace of others' influences. Walls are torn down. Food is prepared. Thirst is satiated. And all of this is due to the hand of Almighty God who takes hold of our own hands and offers us an eternal love that can be trusted, respected and duplicated in community with others.
God's Kingdom is "at hand", and we'd do well to embody this powerful, truth-filled phrase of grace and mercy.
Jesus' first preaching moment happens in Mark 1:14b-15 (as shown above). We mustn't gloss over his call to repentance. After all, repentance precedes the realization of God's Kingdom reign and rule. For someone to "see" the Kingdom, for someone to "hear" the Kingdom, for someone to "touch" the Kingdom one's heart must be offered to God for cleansing and for salvation. And this salvation is not merely in the sense of living with God in heaven but rather the experiencing of new life much in the same way that Paul had the scales of his eyes removed post-Damascus Road. When we confess with our mouth the sinful conditions of our hearts, Jesus forgives us and calls us to live a different way of life. Repentance ("metanoia" in the Greek, "to change one's mind") means that we no longer choose the former patterns of our lives but instead embark on the journey of wholeness that leads to blessing ourselves and others within God's Kingdom rule. Want to experience Jesus' Kingdom blessings? Repent and ask the Savior to remove the scales from your eyes.
He will do it, too.
Then, notice how the Kingdom of God is within your reach. The Kingdom of God will truly be "at hand".
Matt. 5-7 paints a beautiful picture of God's Kingdom activity. When people are pure in heart, when people search for righteousness, when people are persecuted for living truth-filled lives, when people reconcile with another sinner, when people love their enemies, when people pray humbly, when people build their lives on the foundation of Jesus' teachings then and only then will they realize all the God-given Kingdom tools made available to them. Only then will they realize that God's transforming work is available and within their grasp...within their reach...within their possession.
Yes, friends, God's Kingdom is "at hand". Look for it. Reach for it. Extend your hands far and wide and realize that the lives you touch in faithful service to Jesus build and bless God's Kingdom here on earth. God's Kingdom is not something that we must find, God's Kingdom is something that finds us. And when we place our fingers around it, when we hold it in our hands, we often find that the best way to experience the King's love is when we give the Kingdom reign of God's healing power to others. After all, a selfless Kingdom "at hand" is a Kingdom that needs to be in the hands of as many people as possible. Wouldn't you agree?
I'm so grateful for the transitioning month of August as we continue our Kingdom work here on this corner. As we set our eyes on a new church year starting in September, may we never look at Mark 14b-15 (NASB) the same way ever again. May we thank God for the saving grace found in his Kingdom reign and rule that joins hands to do the therapeutic work of the Savior in our own congregation, in our surrounding community, in our state, in our country and around the world. The Kingdom of God is "at hand" and every hand in our church is needed to finish the work God has planned for us in advance to complete (Eph. 2:10).
So go ahead. Worship and celebrate our God who decided that the most important thing we need to know beyond our daily repentance is that the Lord's healing Kingdom of grace is within our reach. It's within our very grasp. We don't have to go looking for it--it's already come to us.
God's healing, life-changing love is always "at hand".
Thanks be to God for this kind of Kingdom.
Amen.
Proud to serve Jesus and this community with you, hand in hand,
><> Pastor Will <><
John 3:30
