The Forbidden Kingdom

Luke 18:31-34
There was the belief in Jesus' day that when the Messiah came he would establish a real, tangible, physical kingdom,God's kingdom here on earth.  He would come in glory and power, reigning over all other kingdoms.  He would establish rule and authority.  This is what was looked forward to.  No wonder the people and the disciples were constantly confused by Jesus' teaching and his ways.  When Jesus is approached by children, they are rebuked (vs. 15).  When he gives attention to the poor and crippled and despised, he is also rebuked (vs. 38-39).  These are not typical things of a king establishing a kingdom.  When the rich young ruler approaches Jesus, he too is confounded.  Surely he was aware and learned in the ways of scripture, also anticipating a kingdom (vs. 18-21).  But when Jesus tells him to give up the very things that should endear him to a kingdom, he is confused and saddened (vs. 22-23).  This man had anticipated a hearty welcome into the kingdom to be established and yet received a scathing rebuke for his kingdom mentality (vs. 24-25).  Jesus has just rejected the perfect official for a kingdom.  The disciples are astonished at this.  If this rich man with authority is not fit for the kingdom, then who could possibly be fit for it (vs. 26)?  Peter's response reeks of doubt and concern (vs. 28).  They have left everything to follow him, the one who will establish a kingdom and now he is opposing this kingdom ideal.  What sort of kingdom is he to establish?  What have they left everything for?  This is further emphasized when he tells them that he is to be mistreated and flogged and killed (vs. 32-33).  What king would subject himself to this treatment?  This leaven of the Pharisees (the idea of a physical kingdom, of privilege, of luxury) had worked itself through both the disciples and the people.  Why else would the disciples argue over who was the greatest in the kingdom unless they had this false notion of a physical kingdom (22:24)?  No wonder people had such a hard time understanding his teaching and parables, and why the rich man, anticipating a kingdom position left sad and the Pharisees rejected him.  But what about us?  Have we not also bought into the leaven of the Pharisees?  Look at the castles we have built.  Look how we have fortified ourselves against those unrighteous, unworthy people out there beyond our gates.  Have we not put up moats and bridges and gates to protect ourselves from those outside our kingdom?  Have we not indulged ourselves with our resources just as royalty builds bigger and better luxuries for themselves?  Jesus reminds us that it is not a physical kingdom he is establishing (17:20-21), but within, to be carried to the nations, welcoming anyone and everyone who repents (Mark 1:14-15).  And yet we live as privileged royalty behind our "kingdom" gates, committing the same gross sins, buying into the same lie as the Pharisees did.  By our lives we shut the kingdom of heaven from others and miss out ourselves (Matthew 23:13).  How are we different?  Just because we "believe" in Jesus?  So did the disciples (Matthew 16:16, 20), and yet they continually were plagued with an earthly kingdom mindset.  How are we any different?  Look at the estates and castles and fortresses we build, and dare to say we are so different.  We have traded a heavenly kingdom for an earthly one.  And by accepting one we have rejected the other (Matthew 12:25), both for ourselves and those around us.  But there is hope, for what is impossible with us is possible through Jesus, if we will but repent and turn.  Will we give up our earthly kingdoms and mindsets for a heavenly one?  The religious and rich would not.  Will we?