Shaping People to Learn the Kingdom of God
Jesus challenged people: “Change your way of thinking, for the kingdom of the heavens hascome near!” (Mt 4:17). Is it a kingdom rebellion against Rome? A new way to strategize?
But Jesus didn’t gather strategists or theologians, but fishermen! Not purification in the desert but crowds in the towns. His sign was not a Zealot strike force but healing for anyone.
People set Jesus inside their own understanding of life, good, power, justice. They loved himbut .... Those closest, like Peter, affirm him as Messianic King! But when Jesus tells what “Messiah” means, “No!” – they think Jesus doesn’t understand his own greatness. (Satan!)
Jesus begins training them/us to a new, challenging way to see / think about everything, a new way to live in the world – Sermon on Mt. To “think the things of God,” to see all thingshuman as a gift from God. To love and seek God’s kingdom! God’s love at the center.