Thinking about the Kingdom of the Unexpected
Spontaneous Ponderings
I’ve been thinking about our pastor’s sermon last week on Revelation 5 (probably a few weeks ago by the time this is published). He made the point that the imagery for Jesus is a bit of a contrast here. First, They call him the Lion of Judah:
Revelation 5:5: Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
But when Jesus actually appears, he is seen as a lamb who has been slain:
Revelation 5:6-7: 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
How can the same person be both a lion and a lamb? Aren’t those the opposite? One is strong and mighty, a great predator. The other is small and weak, the easiest of prey. Yet Jesus is both. And it got me thinking—Isn’t that just like Jesus? When he was on earth, he was always doing the unexpected. He taught people how to think about life and the kingdom of God in a different way. Here are a few examples:
The people of Israel expected a King to be their Messiah, but instead they got a baby who grew up to be a teacher who eventually was crucified.
Matthew 2:2: [The Magi] asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Acts 1:6: Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus taught that the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
Matthew 20:16: “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Jesus taught that to be great in the kingdom of heaven, you have to be a servant.
Matthew 20:26-28: 26 “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus showed love to sinners and tax collectors and the sick (the outcasts of the day), but he berated the religious leaders (the respected group).
Luke 5:30-31: 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Matthew 23:13: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
Jesus taught his followers that the heart of the law is more important than the letter of the law.
Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Jesus humbled himself to descend to earth and die on a cross, yet in the end, he will be exalted.
Philippians 2:5-11: 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus taught that possessions mean nothing, and obedience is everything.
Matthew 19:21: 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
These are just a few examples of how Jesus did the unexpected. What other examples can you think of? I’d love to hear your thoughts!