The Kingdom
Sorry for not posting the last couple of days. We’ve had a lot to take care of around the house. Anyway, today is day eight (the first if 52 weeks is down,) and I noticed something in Matthew that I thought I’d comment on. When Jesus heals the centurion’s servant, he marvels (remarkable in its own right) at the centurions faith compared to any in Israel. He says “many will come from east ans west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into outer darkness.”
This struck me because I understand the “kingdom” that Jesus speaks of throughout Matthew to be that which the God the Father is doing. It caught me off guard, due to my understanding, that some of those who are of that which God is doing will be cast away.
How do you understand what Jesus refers to as the kingdom of heaven?
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January 8, 2010 - 8:52 pm
I believe the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ here refers to, in fact, eternal life. Jesus is speaking to a Roman Guard (not a Jew) about faith. Jesus says that many will come from the east and the west to be seated at the table. He is refering here to Gentiles. When he says the Sons of the Kingdom, I believe he is refering to the Jews who do not live by faith. (Romans 9:30-33). They are the sons of the kingdom, for though they are to have inherited the kingdom (salvation) as sons of Israel, they rejected the gift of Christ and were subject to Judgement.
Thoughts??
January 8, 2010 - 9:14 pm
Yeah, I guess my thoughts are pretty close to Kent’s ie that Jesus might have been wiggling his fingers as quotation signs meanings “those who think they are in the kingdom” or “those who in a sense have a right by covenant to be in the kingdom” (but void it by their lack of faith in Messiah). Perhaps too the Roman listening to this Jew would take “sons of the kingdom” as shorthand for “my fellow Jews” and be amazed at how this Jew would suggest that a Roman could enter the Kingdom instead of His countrymen.
January 23, 2010 - 11:43 am
Kents seems to define who the “east and west” folks are, and define who the “sons of the kingdom” are (In my opinion, did a good job), but didnt you ask about our view on the “Kingdom of Heaven”, and our understanding of it?
If so, I’ll take a stab at it. I don’t know exactly why I see things in the following way. I’m sure its a mesh of halfbaked sermons and personal assumptions while reading the bible.
Kingdom = Rule or “governing way”, maybe “code of behaviour/thought”
Heaven = where God resides. maybe like “Home is where our family is”
“May the way things are ruled in Your presence be transfered to our present time.”
???