Thinking about Him (3)

LIFE OF THE KINGDOM

He once took on the form of a human being and the limitations that a human being possesses. He once spent about 30 years living in the world that you and I are living in. The fact that God came into this world and dwell among us for 30 years as a human being is significant to humanity. More than often, we only put our focus on his birth (for the purpose of celebrating Christmas), his crucifixion and his resurrection. How often do we really look into his earthly life?

He came to dwell among us in order to show us how to live the life of the Kingdom of God in the present kingdom. What kind of life did he live? His life was often controversial and offensive to many. While the rest of the Jewish community despised the Samaritans and had a very low view towards women, he took the initiative to engage in a conversation with a Samaritan woman. While others would do their very best to shun away from lepers, prostitutes and tax collectors, he went to them and offer them friendship, grace and hope. While others were busy minding their own business, he was busy minding the business of the marginalized, the poor and the needy.

Such was the life of Jesus, the perfect example of the life of the Kingdom of God, the life that followed an order that was radically different from the present order. Eventually, he paid the price for living such a radical life: being put to death. Now, he is calling out to his followers to imitate him and live the life of the Kingdom of God in this world, a life that is controversial and foolish in the eyes of the present kingdom.

Therefore, are his followers willing to respond to the call and attempt to live the life of the Kingdom of God in the present kingdom? Or have they long given up this ideal idea and choose to live the life of the present kingdom, choosing to live the life of the Kingdom of God only when the Kingdom of God is fully realized in the future?

The life of the Kingdom, anyone, now?