Monday 28 June 2021

Psalm 5:1-8

Background

Today’s text begins with an apparent paradox: God takes great pleasure in giving us something which at first glance neither we nor the world appears to want or welcome. If we take seriously the instruction to ‘sell your possessions, and give alms’ then ‘giving us the kingdom’ sounds like a deeply satirical counter-intuitive and counter-cultural gesture. The invitation to exchange our transient worldly treasure for spiritual riches that endure is about as ‘against the grain’ of the governing capitalist obsession with prosperity as anything could be.

 Here in just two verses of text we find some of Jesus’s most radical insights into the human condition. First there is the reassurance to his disciples that they matter to God and that God has a care for their wellbeing. They need not be fearful because it is to such insignificant people as they feel themselves to be that the kingdom is being given. God overturns their expectations, especially those about their self-worth which were shaped by the cruel and unjust imperial politics of the day.

 Then Jesus overturns the economic basis on which society operates. He offers a kingdom vision based upon wealth and riches redefined in which money is a means not an end. Neither the economics of first-century Roman-controlled Palestine nor the policies of HM Treasury today can impart true wealth. To be really rich is a gift only known by those whose lives are brim full with God’s love. This only comes about through the relational treasure of the heart which is invested, gathered up and expressed through our participation in God’s kingdom as followers of Jesus.

 What God offers is way beyond our hearts' desire. Within the collective endeavour of building God’s kingdom of justice and love, we find our true nature, purpose and value. Small wonder then that Jesus instructs his followers to be alert, on guard and ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Nothing matters more.

To Ponder:

• Where in your walk with God is God saying to you “Do not be afraid”?
• What treasure does God’s kingdom hold for you?
• A mind-set of expectation and awareness is an essential characteristic of discipleship: with whom in your community is Jesus now calling you to engage?

Prayer

God whose Spirit brings riches beyond measure to my heart, give me the wisdom and grace to walk ever more faithfully in the ways of your kingdom.