Jesus describes the kingdom of God like the smallness of a “mustard seed,” like the transforming power of “leaven” or yeast, like a “pearl of great price” that we are to value above all else. And yet, these physical images or comparisons are the Lord’s way of describing something that isn’t physical at all, something wholly apart from the natural world we live in.
Jesus actually made this point to the Pharisees after they came to him asking about “when the kingdom of God should come.” The kingdom of God, Jesus said, wasn’t something they were going to see “with observation.” They weren’t going to be able to look at it and say, “Lo, here or, lo there!” Rather, says the Son of God, “the kingdom of God is within you” (KJV Luke 17:20-21).
This inner individuality, the Christ spirit in each heart, is God’s gift to us in his “breath of life.” It is now and will always be who we are. And the Lord himself will always be beside us, walking with us to guide and to comfort. Jesus assures us of that after his resurrection when he appeared to the disciples, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” As he sends them out to “teach all nations,” the Lord reassures them, “Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (KJV Matt. 28:18-20).
Our conscious connection to God and His Christ is not limited at all by the physical nature of things. Wherever we are, whatever part of the world we’re in or whatever part of the human timeline we’re on, the living Saviour is always present and speaking to us. Once we realize this, once our minds and hearts become more available to him, we’ll never feel alone again.
But we are more than nature defines, a living soul with a conscious mind.
Not here, not there, but something apart. “Lo, I’m with you,” speaking in our heart. (Living Calm 2016)
Leave a Reply