Bible Snapshots

We leave idioms that originate from scripture and look at the bible through a series of statements that seem to summarise what various books of the bible are saying.

We start with Matthew - in this gospel, in a simple yet profound way it declares that “The Messiah is here!” As we read Matthew’s narrative we become aware that, not only do we see Jesus Christ revealed as Israel's King and Messiah, but His coming to earth as God in the flesh reminding us of His deep love for us. In the gospel’s conclusion we are assured that now resurrected and ascended, the Lord Jesus will always be with us, even to the end of time.

In Summary, within Matthew we find Jesus the Messiah proclaiming God’s continuing righteous reign in his words of blessing and deeds of healing. Jesus calls his followers to experience God’s mercy anew, constitutes them as a new community of faith, and then, as crucified and resurrected Messiah, claims all power and authority as he commissions these disciples for mission. 

However, biblical scholars such as N T Wright warn us of misinterpreting the Gospel of Matthew when he says, “In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus’s sayings in the other gospels about the “kingdom of God” are rendered as “kingdom of heaven”; since many read Matthew first, when they find Jesus talking about “entering the kingdom of heaven,” they have their assumptions confirmed and suppose that he is indeed talking about how to go to heaven when you die, which is certainly not what either Jesus or Matthew had in mind. Many mental pictures have grown up around this and are now assumed to be what the Bible teaches or what Christians believe.”

So what is the kingdom of heaven in Matthew’s context. Our friend Fred Beuchner has some helpful words, “The Kingdom Heaven is not a place, of course, but a condition. Kingship might be a better word. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done," Jesus prayed. The two are in apposition.

Insofar as here and there, and now and then, God's kingly will is being done in various odd ways among us even at this moment, the Kingdom has come already.”

At the end of the Beatitudes, Jesus also references the kingdom of heaven. This time He says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10) Notice the present tense. 

If the kingdom of Heaven is where God is, well might we pray.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord,

The holy One, is here;

Come bow before him now

With reverence and fear

In him no sin is found

We stand on holy ground.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord,

The holy One, is here. Amen