Built on Love

 During a visit to Israel years ago our group went to an ancient "tel" which is an artificial mound of accumulated rubble that was inhabited by successive victors.  It was common for those who sacked a stronghold to break down the clay structures and rebuild on top of them, effectively wiping the previous civilisation from the map.  Archaeologists determined the tell we toured had at least 24 layers, a depth of destruction and loss through the violence of conquest.  It was ironic that the victors were nowhere to be found as the mound was a ruin of its former glory which passed away long ago.

The ruined tels in Israel paint a stark contrast from the kingdom of God established by Jesus Christ.  The Messiah Jesus came to earth not with angelic armies or chariots of fire but as a humble baby born in Bethlehem.  He did not send His disciples into battle with swords and bows.  He sent them as lambs among wolves without supplies for the journey, walking by faith in God and not by sight.  Jesus promised in Luke 12:32, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  What kings of this earth are willing to give their kingdom to others out of love and grace?  This kingdom received by faith would not be one built on the ruins of former civilisations through violence.  It would be established on the Rock of Salvation Jesus Christ who would lay down His own life and shed His blood so all who trust in Him will be born again and receive eternal life.

Since when does a king lay down His life for subjects, much less for ones who are foreigners and aliens from the commonwealth of God's covenant?  Many men have died for king and country, yet Jesus died for the sake of unworthy sinners.  When He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Father, not my will but yours be done" Jesus knew exactly what God's will entailed:  He would be betrayed, rejected, condemned and crucified.  Three days later Jesus rose from the dead and confirmed His authority as the Son of God, His power to forgive sins and to provide eternal life by grace through faith.  Jesus Christ ascended to the Father in the sight of many witnesses and has promised to return to establish His kingdom which is in our grasp by the power of the Gospel.  All kingdoms of the world are temporary, but the kingdom of God endures forever.

Knowing we have received the invitation to God's kingdom, this ought to provoke humility in us and service to one another.  After Jesus was approached by the mother of James and John who asked they be at the right and left hand of Jesus when He entered His kingdom, the other 10 disciples were offended because they wanted this honour for themselves.  Mark 10:42-45 says, "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. ⁴⁴ And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."  Believers are not to be haughty or arrogant but serve one another in love.  Our age gives us no tenure, our fruitfulness provides no honour for ourselves, nor does our sacrifice warrant any respect from others or special privilege.  As slaves of the KING OF KINGS who has purchased us we rejoice to serve and fulfil His good purposes by grace.  All glory and honour to the Most High who has adopted sinners as His precious saints!