Bible Passage: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:2; Philippians 3:20
In the ancient Roman Empire, citizenship was something that you were either born into (if your parents were citizens), something that you purchased at a great price (see Acts 22:27-28), or something you earned, typically through exemplary military service or some other feat of devotion to the Roman kingdom.
The Kingdom of Heaven is entirely different.
We aren’t born into this Kingdom; even if your parents belonged, you must be “born again” into it, submitting your life to Jesus on your own (John 3:1-8).
We can’t buy or earn our way into this Kingdom; the price has already been paid by Jesus and is offered to us as a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We are invited into this Kingdom (Matthew 22:1-14), and for every man who enters, he is granted citizenship freely (Philippians 3:20).
When Jesus began His ministry, His message was, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2 NIV). We were no longer to view Heaven as “up there” or the place we go “later” when we die; when Jesus arrived here on earth, so did His Kingdom, which is now slowly spreading and taking over the world like yeast working its way through dough (Matthew 13:33).
As Kingdom men, we are to concern ourselves less with the worries of our earthly lives and kingdoms and, as Jesus says in today’s verse, first focus on His Kingdom, and the righteousness the citizens of this Kingdom are both gifted and called to (Philippians 3:8-9), trusting that all earthly matters will fall into place when we get this focus correct.
Our priorities are clear: God’s Kingdom first; all other things after. The King is on His throne, and we bend a knee and submit our entire lives to Him.
This week, we will discuss what it means to be men of Christ’s Kingdom, and the high calling that God places on us to live out the ways of the King.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of salvation You purchased for us. Thank You for the free citizenship offered in Your Kingdom. Help us to live as men who are faithful to this Kingdom and its King. Amen.
Reflection: When you hear the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven,” what does it mean to you? What does it mean to be a “Kingdom man?”
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