mystery

How did Jesus speak of the Kingdom of God? What kinds of things did He say? What did He make it feel like?

Lately I’ve read His descriptions very differently. He seems to paint a picture of the unknown. He hints at a secret. He brings me into His confidence and slowly unveils a mystery. I find myself excited, looking over my shoulder to see if anyone else is in the room. I hold my breath as classified information is revealed. I’m honored and exhilarated to realize that He trusts me. He believes in me.

The Kingdom is like an elite club whose membership and real role is only known to those within. Of course, when you get in you realize the “elite” is made up of plumbers and salesmen and mostly third world inhabitants. It’s not elite in a socioeconomic sense, but they are royalty. These are children of the King. Not some fake, temporary king on this dying planet, but the real King. The all-powerful, yet unseen King. If He is all-powerful why would His kingdom not be? If He is unseen, why would His kingdom not be?

Perhaps that’s why I have such a strong aversion to the idea of church marketing. Jesus never did anything even close. Not only did He not advertise and publicize the Kingdom, but He almost seems to cover it up! I can’t recall a single instance where Jesus announced a service or event. Even when the thousands were attracted it was pretty much a spontaneous gathering. So much so, in fact, that the people didn’t think to bring any food! (Read the story in John 6.) We’re constantly told that Jesus withdrew from the multitudes to pray and/or mentor His small group of friends. I see lots of examples where Jesus heals the sick and then tells them to keep the miracle quiet. What is all the mystery about?!

I wonder if there’s something dangerous about a public faith. Maybe there’s something inherently wrong with the mass marketing of the gospel. From the very beginning it was intimate. A personal God approached one man named Abraham with a message. Slowly it spread not through the nations, but simply through his children. As the family grew so did the faith. After a while we hear about non-Hebrews, aliens, who heard about this personal God and His beloved children. Foreigners are drawn into it and even allowed, by law, to participate. When Jesus comes He doesn’t relate only to the Jews, but to the Samaritan woman at the well and even the roman centurion. After He rises from the dead He gives a proclamation that must have stunned His band of brothers: this love relationship is for the entire human race. They were commissioned to take the good news to the ends of the earth!

So, in our zeal to spread the news, we neglected the relationship. In an attempt to comprehend deity, we “explained” the mystery. I want to go back. I want to experience the day when it all revolved around a one-on-one relationship again. (Okay, I can handle one-on-twelve, but let’s stay small, personal, intimate.) I want to go back to the time when it was in the hands of a few ignorant and yet passionate secret-keepers. Doesn’t that sound exciting?! Doesn’t it sound like something you’d love to know more about?! Wouldn’t you seek answers to those kinds of questions?! Wouldn’t you love to be a part of a movement like that?!