This week was part two of our look at the God of the Kingdom. In Luke 15, we discovered that He is the Seeking God. He was the shepherd searching for the sheep, the woman searching for the coin and the father longing for the prodigal's return. The "good news" about the Kingdom is that God has taken the initiative to seek and save that which was lost.
We also saw that He is the Inviting God. So often the Bible pictures our salvation in terms of a banquet or feast. Table fellowship to the Jewish people represented a most intimate fellowship and as we surveyed scripture we understood more why the Pharisees were so indignant with Jesus when he ate with "tax collectors" and "sinners" (Luke 15:1-2). And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17). The word "call" in Greek is kaleo which means "to invite." This invitation also included an expectation of a favorable response. This was a call to respond to the divine invitation - an invitation which was nothing less than the Kingdom of God (Luke 12:32).
In seeking out sinners and inviting them to submit themselves to His reign, God reveals himself as the Fatherly God. Jesus used the Aramaic word "abba" to address God and also taught His followers to do the same. The word "abba" was taken from children's speech and is something like our "daddy." Abba represents the new relationship of confidence and intimacy that is ours now and forever. Those who know God as Abba Father are those for who the highest good in life is the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:30).
Finally, we looked at the Judging God. God's concern for the lost does not dissipate His divine holiness. For those that reject His offer of the Kingdom must stand under His judgment. If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).
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What a wonderful lesson! Three things about the blog have captured my heart!
ReplyDelete1. "This invitation also included an expectation of a favorable response".
God invites us with the expectation of us saying "Yes" to the Kingdom of God.
2. "Abba represents the new relationship of confidence and intimacy that is ours now and forever."
A confident and intimate relationship with my Father. Am I living my life like that is the type of relationship we have?
3. "For those that reject His offer of the Kingdom must stand under His judgment."
Today there are those in the world who live as if there will be no judgement. Jesus is coming back! Believe it! There won't be a "do-over" only a "Do it now!"
It is my prayer that the lesson, once applied to our lives, becomes the blueprint for someone else that is seeking the Kingdom of God!