...for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."-- Matthew 3:2
The people gather on the shore to hear a wild man. There is truth in his words - a compelling passion, a call to something higher. They are drawn, but oblivious. Drawn by his words... oblivious to the one standing among them listening (in my mind, with a knowing grin). He is the giver and the focus of John's words.
The message of repentance is startling. It does not feel-good (and if you read further, it gets harsher for the self-righteous crowd). This makes it easy to miss an important element - actually the most important - of the message. Why should we repent? Why should we change our minds and attitudes and actions? Why should we rethink the direction and trajectory of our lives?
...the kingdom of heaven is near...
Nearer than we can imagine.
That day one walked anonymously among the crowd. He is the maker of the crowd. He built eyes and ears and noses. He wired brains. He created emotions. He wrote and implanted the script of love. (By the way, ask the atheist someday, "Why did evolution produce empathy, why is there love?" I don't think he can provide an adequate answer.)
...the kingdom of heaven is near... because He is here. Powerful but unnoticed. Immanent yet unknown. The author of creation is here on the shore... wearing sandals.
It is popular among Christians today to discuss the end of things; in a sense, how near we are to heaven. I think a more important thing to understand is how near heaven is to us.
...the kingdom of heaven is near...
Just beyond what we can see and touch; a breathe beyond what we can smell, hear or taste... heaven is near.
And the King of this kingdom invites us to join. He calls us to participate. He winks and motions us over to experience his presence, his life... true life.
Why would I not change my mind (repent) to be a part of something like this?
God, You are near (nearer than I know).
For now...
D
