Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
Throughout the ministry of Jesus, the Kingdom of God was central in all He did and taught. Basically, the Kingdom of God means the rule of God in the hearts of people. So when the model prayer instructs us to pray for the kingdom to come, it means that our chief desire is that in every life, in every home, in every work place, in every neighborhood, in every church, and in every place where people live God’s rule will reign supreme. The implications of such a prayer are staggering.
As God’s kingdom comes and its influence grows on the earth, marriages will be stronger. Businesses will be more honest. Neighborhoods will be safer. Seekers will be converted. Churches will be more unified. The oppressed will be liberated. Righteousness will prevail. And believers in general will live less focused on themselves and more focused on acting like Christ before a hurting and broken world.
Isn’t that what we want? Sure it is. But sadly we often look for it in all the wrong places. I’ll give you an example. Next week my wife and I will join our youngest son and his family for a visit to Disney World. In preparation, I did a little research on the place. For instance, did you realize that Disney World is described as the happiest place on earth? That’s the goal. In fact, Walt Disney’s dream for the Magic Kingdom was to create a fantasy world where you could escape all the pressures and struggles of real life and for the time you’re there to be at perfect peace – heaven on earth if you will.
I have to admit that when you walk into the place, everything is spotlessly clean. Every bush is manicured to perfection. Not a thing is out of place. And the employees are wonderful too. The guy running the tram reminds you what section your car is parked in. The folks operating the different rides welcome you and make sure you’re having a good time. Even the cleaning people are nice to you.
But as wonderful as all that is, I still remember a few shortcomings in Mickey’s little kingdom from the last time I was there. Like the kid who was bawling his eyes out because his mom wouldn’t buy him some mouse ears. Or the senior adult whose feet were killing him after chasing his grand kids all day. Or the lady who had her ice cream stolen right out of her hands by a dive bombing sea gull. Then I remembered my own less-than-happy-moment when I about passed out in the trip to Mars simulator – which is another story for another day.
I’m hopeful that this trip will go much better. I can hardly wait to see my grandchildren being enthralled with the wonder of it all. However, even if everything goes absolutely according to plan and every single moment is filled with pixie dust and goofy laughter, when the final burst of fireworks explodes over Cinderella’s castle, it will be time to go. You see, nobody gets to stay in the happiest place on earth forever. You have to leave. And if you want to reenter this magical kingdom, you have to pay another $109 a person, plus parking, plus food, plus drinks, plus well, I think you get the picture.
How very different the Kingdom of God is. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a plant that begins small but grows large to provide shelter for His creatures. It’s like yeast in a lump of dough that bit by bit transforms everything it touches. It’s like a great treasure worth everything one has to possess. It’s like a fishing net that includes everyone who is caught in its reach.
It’s a kingdom that can overcome the gates of hell. A kingdom that cannot be shaken. A kingdom that has no end. This is the kind of kingdom that Jesus came to build. And this is the kind of kingdom that should dominate our prayers. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Today, we catch glimpses of it here and there giving us a hunger for more. But know this. One day when the final trumpet sounds, loud voices of heaven will declare the ultimate fulfillment of our prayers: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Oh what a kingdom.