The use of power comes from those who have an advantage. The underdog who prevails has an advantage which may be hidden (even to the underdog) until such a time the advantage is recognized and used successfully. Gideon overthrew the vast army of the Midianites with three hundred men. Jonathan and his armor bearer slew twenty men in battle. David defeated Goliath with a sling. In these three cases, the unseen advantage was the LORD. Consider Gideon; “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.” (Judges 7:2) Jonathan’s words were as such; “. . .no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (I Sam.14:6) The confidence of David was not in the might of arms; “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.”(I Sam.17:47) The power of the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. It is not apparent. On the surface there is not much to behold. It is not like the nations with their pomp and display, or like the religious world at large with its self-glorifying ways. The singular nature of the Kingdom’s advantage rests in the fulfillment of Israel’s Messiah.
Jesus was a man of low birth; born in a stable, laid in a manger. Mary and Joseph were called to make the journey to Bethlehem at the behest of a foreign king. Jesus was raised as the “carpenter’s son.” When He came of age to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, he maintained the proper attitude of meek and lowly:
Isaiah 42
- Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
- He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
- A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
- He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Some Attributes of the Kingdom –
- The Messiah’s death. (a testimony of who God is)
- The Messiah’s death. (a testimony of who we are)
- Repentance. (voluntary submission, no coercion with gun or sword)
- No weapons of war. (rather the Armor of God)
- Recognition that all have sinned. (all are responsible for the problems of life)
- Redemption. (our lives can be renewed to good purpose)
- Forgiveness. (extended to one through whom it is given to another)
- Mercy born of recognition. (the helpless need help)
Therefore power in the Kingdom of Heaven is not so obvious. Because it originates in the Lamb of God, it’s appearance will reflect His attributes and only will be appreciated by those who hunger and thirst for such things. Let us turn away from the glory of men: the father, the reverend, the rabbi, and the doctor, the titled purveyors of religion and their ways.
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Lk.14:34-35)