Two things I’m passionate about are knowing God and receiving everything He has for me. I don’t want to leave anything on the table.
My mother-in-law often says, “Never live beneath what Jesus died to give you.” As I try my best to live that way, one thing I’ve learned is that I can only know God in certain capacities when I leave my comfort zones, and I can only receive to the extent that I recognize my need. For example, I can’t know God as provider if I never lack anything. I can’t know God as protector if I always avoid trials. I can’t know God as defender if I never walk boldly.
Recently, I have been seeking to know God as the “Giver of the Kingdom.” In Luke 12, Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” But how do we receive it?
As I was praying into this, I ended up in Mark 10:13-22, where Jesus has two interactions that stand out in sharp contrast to each other.
The first is a pretty familiar story. Some parents brought their children to be blessed by Jesus, and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Then, He laid hands on the children and blessed them.
Right after that, as Jesus continued walking, a man came running up to him and asked: “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds, “You know the commands.” And the man says, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus said, “One thing you lack: Go sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But the man went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
In the first encounter, Jesus emphasized receiving the Kingdom of God as a little child, and I believe it’s because children will receive without thinking they have to earn. They don’t feel the need to first make themselves worthy.
In contrast, we see the rich young ruler come up to Jesus, and his very first question was: What do I have to do? What he’s really asking is: How can I be my own savior? What shall I do?
Jesus reminds him of the law, which is used throughout Scripture as an invitation to acknowledge our need for a Savior. But instead, the man replies: I have kept all of the commands. Which is another way of saying, “I don’t need a Savior. I’m satisfied with my own efforts.”
That’s when Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said: Then give up everything, take up the cross, and follow me. In other words, if you want to put the cherry on top, be ready to provide the whole sundae. And, of course, the man walks away sorrowful because he prefers his own riches.
This passage gives us a clear contrast between the dependence of a child and the independence of a rich man. I can’t know God as the giver of the Kingdom if I’m always striving to earn it on my own merit.
A few days ago, I found myself exhausted and overwhelmed. I was leading a team of 20+ people on an international trip, and I’d only had about two hours of sleep. My morning prayer was: “The end of me is the beginning of all You, God. Everything today has to be all You, because I have nothing to give.”
And that’s exactly where I encountered the Kingdom of God. Our team experienced miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit in life-changing ways that day, and we saw God’s Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Not because we did anything special to earn it, but because it was His pleasure to give it.
So, are you a child, or a rich man? Are you content in your own efforts, or are you poor in spirit? Would you rather be a successful doer or a successful receiver?
We are called to receive every part of the Kingdom the same way we first received salvation—with joy and expectation because of what He has done.
Don’t leave the Kingdom on the table.
Grace Waves 