Receiving

"Jesus began to preach saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the skies draws near," Matthew 4:17.

So Jesus' big message from his baptism onward points to a kingdom closing in on us. Just there, nearby. It's coming and it's almost there. What kind of kingdom? A kingdom ruled from the skies. A kingdom ruled by none other than God. Yes, the kingdom of God. God ruling ... over what? over whom? Over his people. And what does this people ruled by God look like? For inquiring minds, Jesus tells all. He sits on the mountain to say this people look poor in spirit. Spiritual beggars. Needy. Underprivileged. (Somewhat humbling, isn't it?) But wait! They're happy. (Because they're underprivileged? Good grief - No! Nobody's happy because they're poor.) Happy because they're not forgotten: they get it, the kingdom belongs to them. The privileged don't get it, don't get in. Not without gotta repent first.

God's kingdom on earth is now come with Jesus' reign. It stands as his humble people, his church. It is God's good pleasure to give it to his little flock. wow! We find a brother or sister today. Together, we give thanks for receiving his kingdom.