January 20, 2009
DAY 03
Posted by KI Contributor
Scripture: John 1:14; Luke 6:20-21
Radical Inclusivity of the Kingdom
God being Almighty could have enforced His power and right to rule as King over all His creatures. But God’s way was not to overpower us. His way was the way of wooing us with His love and acceptance. Many in our age have lost faith in those who are in authority. Suspicion rather than trust is the norm because those who have the power tend to use it exclusively for their benefit. Leaders of all stripes surround themselves with the powerful, the talented, the rich…
But with whom did Jesus hang around? With whom did He eat? When I remember that God in Jesus made His dwelling among those without status in society, I have hope that I can be welcomed in His presence. He announced and demonstrated through His life the radical inclusivity of His kingdom. Jesus was not a normal king who hung around the powerful. No, the Good News of His kingdom was that everyone, including the marginalized of society, was welcome. He opened the doors wide to those who were the rejects, the outcasts, the oppressed, the poor, the unnoticed, the broken, those deemed “cursed.” Many, who would have felt “unworthy” of respect, were received as His dinner buddies. Out of the belongingness people experienced with Jesus, their lives began a journey toward wholeness.
I remember the first time when I felt deeply embraced by my Heavenly Father 24 years ago. In hindsight, He was wooing me for several years before I recognized it. When I did recognize it, the prayer that came out of my heart was, “Rule over me. You are my Lord.”
Father, as we think about how to be participants in “extending Your kingdom,” melt our hearts again in recognizing how radical Your inclusivity is. Transform our lives such that Your radical inclusivity overflows to those around us. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS: Child Prostitutes
Each year, 2 million girls between the ages of 5 and 15 are introduced into the commercial sex trade; but 89% of prostitutes want to escape. “I found myself dancing at a club at the age of 11…I tried suicide, but it didn’t work so I turned to drugs. I want to die before my next birthday.” Pray that those who are trapped by the sex/drug traffic will receive Jesus’ inclusive Kingdom invitation, and experience the journey toward the wholeness of Christ. Pray that God will destroy this exploitation and degradation of women and children.
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