Theme
“Your Kingdom Come” (Matthew 6:10)
The Kingdom of God was a central theme in the message and preaching of Jesus while he was on earth. Succinctly, the Kingdom of God is the rule of God in our hearts and lives as we submit to Jesus as our King. It is his will we seek to do at this time and place in history. The Kingdom of God is a collective body of believers living and serving their King together.
As we stop to ponder how Jesus lived, we are struck with the compassion he had on people in the margins of society. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, lived among the poor, crossed social barriers and ministered to lepers, Gentiles and Samaritans. Those who were despised and vulnerable were the ones he welcomed into his Kingdom. Jesus embraced all who had a repented heart and sought to follow him. As Mary had stated in the Magnificat, “he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:52).
Jesus shows us that compassion, humility, justice, and reconciliation are all virtues to be displayed in his Kingdom. Pride, oppression and domination are aspects to be repented of as they are contrary to his Kingdom.
As we embark on the fifteenth annual Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation, let us first ponder our own lives in relation to our King. Do we live out the values and virtues of his Kingdom? Is his Kingship evident in us? Are we ever growing to be more like him in our attitudes and actions? Secondly, do our Christian colleges/universities reveal his Kingdom on earth? Are the marginalized of our day admitted and empowered in our institutions? How do we address issues of poverty, racism, and other social issues as Kingdom citizens? Do we live radically as Jesus did when he was on earth?
May we always seek to be conformed into the image of our King, the one who washed his disciples feet, identified with the poor and oppressed and wore a crown of thorns. May his Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.
