Jesus talked more about this thing he called the “kingdom of heaven” or the “kingdom of God” than anything else. He said he came to bring it here to earth. It IS the Good News he preached everywhere he went. It was important to him.
It’s odd then that when he spoke of it he didn’t rattle off a bunch of statistics to the crowds. Or try to get it funded by the wealthy, endorsed by the powerful, or backed by the government. What he did was crazy – horrible marketing actually. He told stories, metaphors really. Jesus would’ve have made a great song writer. A terrific Compassion blogger here in Uganda.
The kingdom of God has arrived, Jesus said, and it’s bricks continue to be laid when God’s will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.
The kingdom is like a mustard seed – It doesn’t look like much at first but give it time.
The kingdom is like a boss who paid every worker the same wage regardless of when they clocked in – It’s a gift you can’t earn.
And my favorite: The kingdom of God is like a potluck supper.
Ok, so that’s my Baptist translation but that’s what he was getting at right?. The kingdom is a big party with plenty of food for everyone.
The kicker, the twist in this story, is the guest list and the etiquette. Jesus says, Don’t make the rich people, the healthy people, the prominent and powerful first. Nope, invite the poorest, the sick, the cripples, the lowest of the low. They’re the guests of honor, the most important.
The kingdom of God is a party where white passes mashed potatoes to black. The old pull up a chair for the young. The rich pour a Coke for the poor. The healthy lift a spoon full of kung pow chicken for the weak.
I’ve seen it. The kingdom came to a Chinese restaurant in Uganda this week. (That’s a mind bender isn’t it?) Compassion International invited sponsored kids to come meet their sponsors from America. We exchanged stories and presents, laughed, cried, posed for pictures, kicked a soccer ball around and imgested much caffeine and fried food. It was heaven on earth with a side order of fried rice.
There are more verses about the poor and our responsibility to care for them in the bible than all the number on heaven and hell combined. This is important to Jesus. Sponsor a child today and get a spring roll at no additional charge…or a little piece of the kingdom in your life. Your choice.
travis Spencer says:
i lust love following this!
P.D. Ross says:
These stories keep inspiring. Man I wish I was there with you guys.
Penny Raine says:
And the table of the Lord offers food that lasts a lifetime. “His love is better than wine”. How wonderful that you are there sharing His love, but I am sure you are coming away with even more than you are sharing there. He is soo like that!
blessings, Penny Raine
http://www.pennyraine.com/blog
Chaotic Hammer says:
This is beautiful.
Beth says:
Hi Shaun-
Just wanted to say thanks for creating the Compassion widget for blogs. I added it to mine with a post urging people to read and sponsor a child. One of my friends then added it to her blog and decided to sponsor a child, and hopefully that will continue to happen.
I’ve been a sponsor with Compassion for over ten years for Simon in Kenya. Simon turns 18 this summer, and I’d seriously looked at my checkbook and thought, well that’s one less bill that will be coming out soon. Yep, I’m ashamed to even admit that. But with reading you all’s blogs and through this medium, seeing what I’m actually writing a check to each month reminds me it’s not just a check or another bill. You have put a face and an actual picture to what we over here can’t actually see. Thank-you so much to all of you for that, and for helping me realize that as I continue to pray for and support Simon, maybe we have another brother or sister in Uganda who could benefit from one more wealthy American’s selfish checkbook.
Blessings to you guys as you finish out your time- praying protection, health, and favor over all of you- and for your transition back to the States.
—Beth
PJ says:
Bless you for the work you’re doing. Does the Chinese Restaurant under the tent bring back memories!!! Nicaragua, Jarabacoa, DR, Ecuador. Praying for you on your return—that’s often the most difficult part, the re-entry!
Jennifer, Snapshot says:
I’ve been following this week–you, Shannon and Sophie–and I read Sophie share that everyone is so overjoyed to know when someone sponsors a child, and reading your posts from the beginning of the week really got me thinking, and today I finally finally did it. I am sponsoring a Ugandan child.
I have no idea why I haven’t done it before, but I know it’s right.
Thanks for sharing.
Linda Sue says:
Reading the comments I got a strange mental connection – y’all rejoicing when you hear a Ugandan child is sponsored is a little preview of heaven when someone in the shadlowlands is saved. ~In the sweet bye and bye, what day of rejoicing that will be~- we’ll all get to sit and talk with these beautiful children and the good folks who’ve stepped up to the challenge and sponsored – won’t it be something? Thank you for your openness this week – bless you on your return.
RevJeff says:
So if the Kingdom is a chinese potluck buffet with coke products…. Count me IN!
Stay faithful!