I looked over to the Church last Sunday and read the sign that had just been put up.
“Let your home face towards the Father’s House.” Well I said, I am not quite sure what it means but at least it is obscure enough not to cause any trouble. (We had one notice that caused some distress and we no longer use it.)
But then on Wednesday I had a call from someone wanting to check what it meant!! Was the Father’s House heaven? Yes I said, “The Kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God” but I was feeling quite inadequate because it is such a rich concept and a few words over the phone cannot really do it justice. I love these opportunities to refine my understanding. There are at least 154 New Testament Bible references to the ‘Kingdom’ and they are so diverse. For instance:
Luke 17.20-21: Once Jesus* was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is within (or among) you.’
And in our readings on Sunday: Luke 9.60 Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. and v62 No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 8.10 sums it up really: To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.
Matthew 18.3 Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
And then a couple of examples of the parables:
Matthew 13:24 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field
Matthew 13.47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea
Finally I found this quote by James Hamilton, a Presbyterian minister from many centuries ago. I am sure our notice board words are taken from this and it explains it beautifully.
Keep the home near heaven. Let it face toward the Father’s house. Not only let the day begin and end with God, with mercies acknowledged and forgiveness sought, but let it be seen and felt that God is your chiefest joy, His will in all you do the absolute and sufficient reason.
Jan Harper