HIS KINGDOM IS COMING!
Opening Prayer
As I come to you through your Word, Father, lift my eyes to see a wider perspective of what you are doing—in my life and in the world around me.
Read MARK 4:21–25
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
A Lamp on a Stand
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are your greatest longings, for this world and the next?In a song by Bruce Cockburn,* there’s a line that says: ‘Gotta kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight.’ So, we might say, it is with the kingdom of God.
As we see all through Mark’s gospel, the kingdom of God is kicking against the darkness of sin, of indifference, religious and spiritual opposition, and hostility, and the cracks are beginning to show: ‘Whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed’ (v. 22). And the promise of this kingdom is that it’s never going to stop until the whole world is lit up with the glory of the Lord (Revelation 21:23; Habakkuk 2:14).
Do you long for that? When sin and death are no more? When justice and righteousness reign? When there are no more tears and no more pain, and when everything is under the rule and reign of Jesus, the Prince of Peace? The truth is that those people who try to hold on to their lives will lose them (Matthew 16:25), but if you do long for that day, then you will be satisfied more than you could ever imagine (v. 25).
Apply
Are you aware of areas in your life where you are resistant to God’s rule and reign? Is there persistent sin, pride, or wanting to keep control over some areas of your life?
Closing prayer
Jesus, there was nothing that you withheld for my sake and I want to keep nothing from you. Help me to commit everything I am and have to you.
*‘Lovers in a Dangerous Time’, 1984
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