Lent Two

Lent Two TOO MUCH TO ASK? 2/28 & 3/4/07

Raise your hand if you’ve ever spoken the 3-words “Thy kingdom come”----

Raise your hand if you feel very confident that you totally understand what these

3-words mean-----

In 2^nd grade I learned never to say words unless I know what they mean, when I spoke to my father some words I had recently heard in the school playground. I did not know what the words meant when I spoke them to my dad…but I do now! It is well for us to be clear about what we are saying and praying to “Our Father”.

The initial words of this prayer are primarily about God… “Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” And now, having adoringly addressed God, we here begin our petitions … we, here, begin to present our requests: “Thy kingdom come”. Jesus teaches us to ask for the kingdom of God! Jesus, throughout Scripture, encourages us to understand and to welcome the kingdom of God! Jesus, through His parables, offers insight into the kingdom of God. In the verses we call The Beatitudes, Jesus said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”(Mt. 5:3) Jesus commanded us: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Mt. 5:33) Jesus promised: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (12:32) We pray for it, Jesus instructs us to live for it, we are invited into it, we are taught to seek it first, and it pleases God to give it to us…but, what is this “kingdom of God” we pray for and claim to desire?

This opening petition of the Lord’s Prayer challenges us to consider the size of our prayers…more specifically, the magnitude of what we ask of God. God is not offended when, in the whole scheme of things earthly and eternal, we ask for little things. I believe it is permissible to request nice weather, good grades (equal to how much we studied!), safe travel (equal to how safely we drive!), and more. But, first God bids us to pray, “Our Father…Thy kingdom come”…first things first!

Our Father has a kingdom we do not need to pray for. Martin Luther wrote: “The Kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.” (Small Catechism) God’s Kingdom is defined by timelessness (a day is like a thousand years) and consistency (the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow), and spacelessness (“Lo, I am with you always”). This kingdom is the very rule of God over all there is, “seen and unseen.” The Psalmist describes this kingdom when he wrote: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world, and those who dwell therein.” (24:1) We sing: “This is my Father’s world; Oh, let me not forget That tho’ the wrong seems ‘oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” (LBW #554) We do not have to pray for God to be God. God is God and, as we pray “thy kingdom come”, we are praying that God will enable us…sensitize us…equip us to acknowledge His kingdom and power and glory…Oops, I’m getting a few weeks ahead of myself in this series!

Not everyone acknowledges this absolute power and supremacy of the Father. Pontius Pilate threatened Jesus, saying: “Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” (Jn. 19:10) We read in Psalm 2: 1-4 that many who assume power on earth are but a source of laughter in the heavens. Satan does not acknowledge God’s absolute power and authority, as he tempted God’s own Son to worship God’s own enemy. Jesus, though, consistently lived what He prayed, acknowledging His Father’s dominion, rebuking Peter’s attempt to fight off the Roman guards, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send Me more than 12 legions of angels?” (Mt. 26:53) Explaining to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (Jn. 19:36) King David said: “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty…” (1 Chron. 29:11)

As our nation eagerly learns more about the ever-lengthening list of candidates for the Presidency, we, too, need to learn more about God, the One who “presides” over heaven and earth, in order to better understand His Kingdom. I dare not pray about “the kingdom”, while remaining ignorant about the King! Be clear, though, that we do not “elect” God!

To be welcomed into God’s Kingdom requires a total, radical, unnatural surrender, a complete obedience toward the Father’s will. God grants this to all who asked it of Him. Paul writes: “The kingdom of God does not mean food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rm. 14:17) It is Jesus who said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed…for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Lk. 17:20-21) God’s coming Kingdom of glory will come once and forever and eternity will not seem sufficient for us to offer the praise due “Our Father” and His holy name! Amen.