Experience Jesus' Kingdom

Day 23: Experience Jesus' Kingdom

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Thought:
Jesus made the kingdom of God a central theme in His preaching (Mark 1:14-15). What did Jesus mean?

The Kingdom Jesus spoke about was not a geographical area such as the Holy Land or the temple. In fact, it is independent of geography and political entities. The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God in our lives. to “seek first” the Kingdom is to make His rule our priority ahead of everything else.

One significant meaning of “seeking” is: "to beat the covers for birds." It is a description of a sportsmen’s method. On Saturdays during the fall, my uncles would take my cousins and me hunting. We would take the dogs to a cornfield and walk near the hedges looking to scare out a few rabbits. There were many occasions when my uncles would send us boys into the thickets. We experienced such joy when we saw the bushes rustle. A fluffy cottontail would dart out, throwing the dogs barking and my uncles shooting. We had a priority for our day, and we were prepared to wade swamps, climb stumps, push through brier, watch, wait, wriggle, and do everything but fail. We were focused and persistent.

To "seek first" indicates not good and bad, or right and wrong, but rather a first and second. God does not forbid us from things we enjoy, but they do need to be in their proper place. The Kingdom of God is not set in opposition to the possessions of this world; it is placed above them. It is higher than the physical and the material. It has to do with the essential purpose of man - a life that is more than simple existence.

We make a choice to put the Kingdom of God first at the moment of our conversion to a Christian life, and it is also a choice that we need to make on a daily basis.  As Paul writes, the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Seeking first the kingdom of God, full of righteousness, peace, and joy is my life’s top priority.

Reflection:

What does it look like for you to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Review the last seven days. Can you honestly say the Kingdom of God was your highest priority?