The second half of the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 15-28)

“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

(Matthew 16:16-17 ESV)

The kingdom is mentioned 52 times in the Gospel of Matthew and 21 times in this second half of the book. The phrase, “the kingdom of Heaven (or God) is at hand” is a very interesting saying. If it implies that it is within reach wouldn’t it make sense to say that it is here and now?

Throughout my reading this week, I have been drawn to the King and have a great curiosity about His Kingdom. One of the questions that have been on my mind over the past 6 to 9 months is: “What does it mean to have an eternal perspective?” As I continue to study the Word of God, I really want to understand to the extend that I can about life in the light of Eternity. One thing I do know; there is disagreement among God’s children.

In Matthew’s writings, there are some clues. As children of the King we are to have childlike faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. We are not to be concerned about position. There is to be no hierarchy among us. If you want to be great Jesus says you need to have the humility of a child.

What kind of King will rule the Kingdom of Heaven? He will be like a King described by Jesus whose forgiveness is so incredibly bountiful in mercy that our response is to be like him. We are to forgive each other because we have been forgiven so much that we could never repay. Peter was asking about forgiving one another. The language in this answer from Jesus in Chapter 18 certainly sounds like it is applicable to the here and now.

Entrance into the Kingdom is difficult as Jesus explains the parable of the rich young ruler, “but with God all things are possible.” So Peter is taking this in and says to Jesus in Matthew 19 “we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” v. 27-29 Three more questions arise about the kingdom: “what is this new world? Is Jesus talking about the kingdom of heaven? Isn’t Jesus sitting on His Glorious Throne now?

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King is the King of Celebration as depicted in the parable of the Wedding Feast. It shows that we really have no business saying you don’t belong here at the table and you do belong because it really is the King who clothes and provides for those who will sit at His banquet. (chapter 22)

The verse that grabbed me and will not let go is also from chapter 22 v. 32 “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” In Jesus answering the Sadducees about the resurrection and pointing to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If God is King and if we are living along with the saints who have gone before us, then wouldn’t it be reasonable to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is now?

Jesus being questioned by the high priest in chapter 27 says, “from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The Kingdom is now and later?

Famously quoted by Christians for different reasons, but what does the Resurrected Jesus means by this in regards to His Kingdom, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Immediately followed by “Go therefore and make disciples…” Is this an indicator that the Lord has involved us in Kingdom building today?

“this gospel of the kingdom” This is Jesus Christ…..His Gospel. Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. If the Gospel is true and for us now? How about His Kingdom? These are real questions. I am searching. These questions are not rhetorical for me.

BY FORCE

Matthew 11;11-13
"Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.



pictured: Demon Hunter

12"^(L)From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

13"For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

I have been pondering this phrase and I am still not sure what to make of it.

Here is the cross reference from Luke 16;16

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

I just read over in Luke chapter 3 because the verse above says that the Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. So what was John preaching: I believe the gospel of the kingdom of God. [ And for the very first time, since I picked up the Bible as a believer, I can see where the Fire and Brimstone preachers get there heat. Again I digress] In this account in the gospel of Luke, John is telling the people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, but for those who are portrayed as truly repentant that is not enough for them. Luke just gives a small sampling of people saying what should I do and in conjunction with who is doing the asking John get specific but each answer can be summed up in "Love your neighbor."

The other thing that is evident laid right along side with repentance and love is justice. In the kingdom realm, there will be absolute love and absolute justice and that conversation is for another time. Although, I am sure that you can find blogs and websites out there that deal solely with those 2 issues. (for example: Fire and Ice)

"Violent men take it by force" and "everyone is forcing his way into it," the visual that I get on this is a FBI SWAT team or an army coming in on the ground fully armed and taking a village by storm. I don't think that is what we have here. It may be a safety in numbers kind of thing, going outside of the Jewish religious norm to hear this wild guy in the wilderness preach as opposed to the synagogue or temple to hear those dressed in fine clothes and are properly educated. Or perhaps it is more like, no one can stop me, there is something this guy John has to offer and nothing and no one will get in my way.

Did you ever think on these couple of verses?

Has the Word of God hit you between the eyes looking for your attention?

Do you know that this book is not just words on pages but living and active?

Today, in a sea of American Churches people are looking for the real thing, the kingdom of God, not rules, not programs, not an outstanding leadership staff. I believe in seekers, those who have already made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, they are the seekers, looking for Jesus in the presence of those who call themselves His People. We know that the kingdom of God is here, it is not some far off distant place where we go when we die. It is here.