| Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12
“The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey. If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.” (Exodus 40:36-38)
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:15)
“Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ His fame then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.” (Mark 1:27-28)
God has never left His people without a witness. In the Old Testament reading we see God’s presence and guidance through the cloud and fire. In Mark we see Him in a more personal way through the presence of Jesus. The people of God for years had sought signs concerning the physical coming of the kingdom of God. Jesus is telling the people that the manifestation of the kingdom of God has begun with His ministry. When Jesus died on the cross, so many of the people saw it as a sign of defeat and dashed hopes. They had longed for a king that would physically deliver them from the hardship of Roman rule and second class citizenry.
The culmination of all of Jesus’ teaching was this: “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come, He answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘Look here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is among (or within) you.'” (Luke 17:20)
The revelation for us is this, that we can’t look for a cloud or fire, or the physical appearance of the kingdom, we need to look within. When we receive Jesus as our Lord, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us and therefore the kingdom is with us, developing us, strengthening us, teaching us, conforming us into the image of Jesus. Don’t look any further because the kingdom is with you, stop waiting for heaven to “happen” and start enjoying and flowing in His presence now! Sure, in the fulfillment of time, God will come back and set up His physical kingdom but, in the meantime, let’s make Jesus famous by knowing Him and operating in kingdom principles with such authority that people will know that the kingdom of God has come near them.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for simple words of truth that remind me I am Yours and You are with Your people in the most intimate way, not as an exterior presence but through Your precious Holy Spirit. I pray to be able to help people see You and understand Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. |
