[Discoveries] 03-14-07 How the Kingdom is built – part 1

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or an arbiter between 
you?” -- Luke 12:14*/

As we bring Jesus into our world, we may be tempted to put to right 
situations we are not called to correct, injustices we are not called to 
resolve.

In this passage, a man from the crowd is trying to get Jesus to act as a 
probate court -- dividing an inheritance. Jesus flatly refuses to get 
involved.

This is a tough one to unravel. Why does Jesus turn down this request?

Let's start with what we know and what we don't know. We know that two 
brothers disagree on how and when an inheritance should be divided. But 
we don't know which one is in the right and which one is in the wrong. 
All we know is that the man in the crowd thinks he's been wronged.

We also know that God loves justice. If injustice has been done, God 
will someday, somehow make it right. And we know that the people of God 
are called to "loose the chains of injustice" (Isaiah 58). But exactly 
how and when we are to do that isn't always clear from scripture.

Maybe the clue is in the next verse: Jesus said to them: "Watch out! Be 
on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist 
in the abundance of his possessions."

Here's the answer. Sometimes, settling an injustice builds the kingdom 
of God. Sometimes, it's just a distraction. I think the Lord was showing 
this man that he had lost his mooring. He was so focused on getting what 
he wanted that he was unable to see the true wealth that stood right 
before him.

More tomorrow ...

Be encouraged!
Dwight


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