Citizens of the Kingdom

The scriptures referred to are Matthew 5-7.

Remember civics class? A lot of you are probably groaning inwardly. It was usually not the most exciting class. It covered the nuts and bolts of how our government is set up and how it works, as well as the rights and duties of citizens. The subject matter was important, if not very imaginatively presented. I had a much better exploration of some of these issues in a couple of history classes. One teacher had us debate positions as they arose in our study of history. That way we understood some of the issues our founding fathers faced in creating this country. The other teacher did not have us participate as much but would focus on specific issues and dissect them. He spent an entire class on Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, laying out all the arguments, pro and con. You felt the weight that fell upon the new president, who had been kept in the dark about the Manhattan Project by his predecessor, FDR. It's too bad our civics classes didn't deal with case studies like these, that vividly illustrated the principles of government in action and sometimes in conflict with each other.

We have been talking about Jesus as our King. In an absolute monarchy, the king sets foreign and domestic policy, makes laws, acts as judge, and acts as the mediator between his people and God. What we haven't dealt with is our duty as citizens of the kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, there is a charter for the Israelities. It begins in Exodus 20 with the 10 Commandments and continues for the rest of the Torah, interwoven with the narrative of the Israelites traveling to the promised land. Is there anything similar in the New Testament?

Actually, there is. Matthew gives us the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus acts like the new Moses, presenting the law of his kingdom to his followers. And what is interesting is that he doesn't so much lay out precisely how to carry out these rules as he does to what extent we are supposed to go beyond the letter of the law and why. So he continually refers to the Old Testament but encourages his disciples to look deeper into the meaning of what is stated and to discern God's intentions in laying down these laws.

We haven't enough time to cover these 3 chapters of Matthew in depth but let's take a quick overview of what it means in practical terms to obey Jesus as our King.

Whereas the Old Testament law begins with 10 commandments, Jesus begins with 8 beatitudes. (Matthew 5:3-11) A commandment tells you what to do or not do. The beatitudes are a mix of attitudes (the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the pure in heart), actions (peacemakers, being merciful) and circumstances (those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake).

These 8 have two things in common. First, they are virtues associated with the oppressed and with underdogs. So Jesus calling them blessed is a paradox. It is a perfect introduction, however, to God's kingdom in which the values of human societies are turned upside down. The things that our culture sees as vital—the promotion of yourself and your personal interests, benefits and privileges—God sees as less important than the wellbeing of others and holiness. On the other hand, people don't always see these things as virtues. When was the last time anyone was praised for being meek or for mourning? Even being pure in heart is often seen as a way of saying someone is hopelessly naive. The world pays lip service to certain virtues but chooses vices if they get the job done.

Second, these are states of being. And that is a major difference between Christianity and ethical systems that are mostly compilations of laws. Jesus recognizes that what you do comes from what you are. So he is more interested in changing the nature of people. Most folks are virtuous when others are looking and when such behavior gains immediate rewards. The true test of character is, as they say, what do you do when no one is around to praise or scold you. The best way to understand the Sermon on the Mount is as a description of the kind of person who fits the role of citizen in God's kingdom.

So Jesus says that citizens of the kingdom are the salt of the world. (Matthew 5:13) Salt gives flavor. Contrary to popular belief, Christians aren't supposed to be bland. In fact, real Christians aren't. You can't be neutral about people like Mother Teresa or Paul of Tarsus or Francis of Assisi. They are either to your taste or not.

Salt is also used as a preservative. It keeps things like food from going bad. It also increases thirst. We Christians should increase people's thirst for justice and peace while working to keep the world from going bad.

Jesus says citizens of the kingdom of God are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14) Light helps us see things as they are, which in turn helps us deal with them in the right ways. Light also helps us navigate properly through the world. We all know people who have a lot of problems because they are blind to some aspects of the world or some aspects of themselves. The result is they continually get tripped up by the same things again and again. If it's because they are in the dark about something, they may benefit from the light being shined on those things. If, however, they are still unable to see certain things no matter how often they are pointed out to them, then they may be willfully blind. (John 9:40-41) They don't really want to see the truth about the world or about themselves.

Jesus does specifically mention a number of commandments but always to get to the principles that underlie them. So Jesus traces the seed of murder to anger and contempt. (Matthew 5:21-22) He points out that adultery begins when you look at a person you're not married to as the legitimate object of your lustful attention. (Matthew 5:27-30) Even if you never follow through, you will never be able to look at that person the same way. It changes you. The seed is planted. So it is better to sacrifice anything in your life that triggers, entices, or enables you to sin, even if it feels like a part of you, rather than let it cause your destruction, and the destruction of your relationships and family.

Adultery is still one of the main causes of divorce. In Jesus' day, only men could initiate divorce and they could do it for the most trivial of reasons, like burning dinner, which, let's face it, sounds like an excuse. This left the wife and children in danger of poverty, which is true even today. The men hearing Jesus preach were probably shocked by his condemnation of what was a common practice. (Matthew 5:31-32)

A citizen of the kingdom doesn't need to take oaths. He is always as good as his word. (Matthew 5:33-37) A citizen of God's kingdom does not take revenge for wrongs done to him but turns the other cheek and goes the second mile. Thus he repays evil with good. (Matthew 5:38-42) A citizen of the kingdom doesn't just show love to those who love him but acts with love even towards his enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48)

A citizen of the kingdom of God is generous but doesn't advertise her charitable giving. (Matthew 6:1-4) She doesn't draw attention to the fact that she is fasting, either. (Matthew 6:16-18) Similarly she doesn't make her prayers into public performances. (Matthew 6:5-8) Her prayers are straightforward: praising God, asking that he carry out his will in this world, asking for her basic needs, asking for forgiveness in the same measure that she forgives others, and asking for protection against temptation and evil. (Matthew 6:9-15)

A citizen of God's kingdom doesn't believe that he who dies with the most toys wins. He treasures heavenly things that cannot be possessed or hoarded but only stored in his heart. (Matthew 6:19-21) He stays clear-eyed about his priorities and never puts money ahead of God. (Matthew 6:22-24)

A citizen of the kingdom of God doesn't worry about the temporary things of this life. She trusts God to provide for her needs. Instead she concentrates on the day at hand, not scary shadows of possible futures that will not necessarily become realities. (Matthew 6:25-34)

A citizen of God's kingdom doesn't pass final judgment on others, knowing that he would fail to meet his own standards. (Matthew 7:1-2) He is conscious of his own faults and wouldn't dream of trying to correct someone else's minor flaws without taking care of his own first. (Matthew 7:3-6)

A citizen of the kingdom is bold, knowing that God will give her what she needs and asks for, make available what she seeks, and open any doors on which she knocks. Because God is a good and loving father. (Matthew 7:7-11)

A citizen of the kingdom knows that the heart of God's law is treating others with the same respect and fairness with which we expect to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)

A citizen knows that entering the kingdom is tough and the requirements are demanding. You don't just stumble into it. It takes total commitment. (Matthew 7:13-14)

A citizen of the kingdom of God realizes that there are frauds passing themselves off as God's spokesmen. He looks beyond their words to see whether what they are doing is actually good or evil. (Matthew 7:15-20) He knows that just saying that you're a Christian won't cut it with Jesus if your behavior doesn't match your beliefs. (Matthew 7:21-23) He knows that you're only secure if you build your life on the rock-solid foundation of Jesus' actual teachings and commandments. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Jesus says other things about the kingdom of God elsewhere but the Sermon on the Mount is the core. And I just want to note two things. First, these are not ways of being a citizen of God's kingdom some day in some perfect future but right now in the imperfect present. Just as Jesus brought in the seeds of the kingdom while he was living in enemy-occupied territory, so we are to plant and nurture the seeds of the kingdom while living in a world that has rebelled against its rightful King. And just as Jesus did not come as a warrior, neither do we. We are to be his ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:20) We are bringing the good news of God's good will towards those who are open to his reign. And just as an embassy is not considered a part of the country where it is situated, but instead as a part of its homeland, so the kingdom of God exists wherever we do the work of the kingdom. And that's how we spread Jesus' royal reign.

Second, this is a tall order and we cannot do it on our own. Fortunately, we are not on our own. Jesus our King has sent a counselor, advocate and helper, his Spirit, to dwell in us, to give us the words we need and the power to obey his words and to do his works. (John 14:16-17; Luke 21:15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7) And when we fail him, which we will at times, he intercedes for us and cleanses us and re-forms us, making us ever more Christ-like. (Psalm 51:10-12; Romans 8:26-27; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

In Luke 17:21, Jesus says, “The kingdom is within you.” Some translations render it, “The kingdom is in the midst of you.” I like how Biblical scholar N.T. Wright translates it: “The kingdom is within your grasp.” And so it is. Jesus has given us his words, his example and his Spirit. He's laid the groundwork. He's given us the tools we need. Let's get started. We don't have all the time in the world. Haven't you heard? The King is coming!

First preached on December 20, 2009. It has been revised and updated.