RECOGNIZING THE KINGDOM
Matthew 10:7-8 NKJV
7 And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Jesus was giving instructions to His twelve disciples before they left to preach. He told them where to go and who to go to. He told them what to take and what not to take. And Jesus told them to preach or proclaim that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Or the kingdom of heaven is near. Then Jesus tells them what the fruit of the kingdom of heaven is. What will the kingdom of heaven coming near look like? How do you recognize God's kingdom?
The disciples were told to proclaim to Israel that the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God is near. But they did not just proclaim the kingdom; they revealed the kingdom. In verse one of chapter ten, Jesus gave His twelve disciples power or authority to cast out demons and heal the sick. So when these twelve men went out to the cities of Israel, they were telling the good news of God's kingdom and then showing how God's kingdom operates.
Jesus commanded the twelve to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. The kingdom of heaven was unseen, but the works of the kingdom were very visible. Notice Jesus never instructed His disciples to cause harm, make people sick, oppress, and bring darkness. All that is already in the world and is a part of another kingdom, the kingdom of Satan. Jesus would later say of the devil that he caused stealing, killing, and destroying. But Jesus, as the premier representative of God's kingdom, would bring life and life abundantly. The disciples were mirroring what Jesus was doing in Israel. Jesus healed the sick. He never made anyone sick. Jesus raised the dead but never brought death. Lepers were cleansed when Jesus was on the earth, but He never made anyone unclean with disease. And demonic forces were put down and subjugated to Jesus' authority; they were not allowed access to hurt or torment. Jesus gave His followers the ability to do what He did, bring help and relief to hurting humanity. And help for humanity is what the kingdom of heaven looks like.
APPLICATION
So when did Jesus change? When He was on earth, He asked and empowered His disciples to do what He did. They represented Him, and He represented the Father God. So when did all of that change? When did the kingdom of heaven change to start hurting humanity instead of helping hurting humanity?
The good news is that the kingdom of heaven has not changed. It is still a kingdom where Jesus is king and solutions for sickness, disease, and torment are still active and viable. Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them that because they belonged to Christ, they were no longer under the authority of darkness. That would be Satan's kingdom, and they had been translated into the kingdom of God's Son (Colossians 1:13).
The good news is that those who belong to Christ are part of His kingdom. And there is still healing for the sick, cleansing for those with disease, freedom for those who are bound, and peace for those who have been tormented. God's kingdom is here, and help has come.
PRAYER
Lord, I am so grateful to be a part of Your kingdom. A kingdom where love prevails and the works of darkness are defeated. Thank you for making me a part of Your kingdom.