My Favorite Verses - Vol IV (Nov 16 to Feb 17)
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and often least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved
(and often least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Luke <strong>17</strong>:20-21 … All-ready Within<br />
(11/19/20<strong>16</strong>)<br />
“The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed …<br />
For, in fact, the Kingdom of God of which I speak is already within you.”<br />
~ Jesus (Luke <strong>17</strong>:20-21)<br />
This is an extremely important biblical verse; indeed one of the most<br />
important ones in the entire New Testament. And the reason it is so important is<br />
that it fully quashes the highly dysfunctional belief held by most Christians that<br />
Heaven is some sort of eternal reward for the few who qualify as worthy enough<br />
for the same; that Heaven is a place somewhere other than Here <strong>to</strong> which only<br />
the “true believers” are allowed <strong>to</strong> journey at some point in the future after their<br />
physical deaths.<br />
Jesus, of course – at least <strong>to</strong> the degree that he truly did comprehend Divine<br />
Morality & Divine Justice & Divine Love – wanted nothing <strong>to</strong> do with such<br />
nonsense. For Jesus, “the Kingdom of God” was a Bliss-filled state of being<br />
available <strong>to</strong> each & every sentient being in each & every moment of their lives.<br />
It was accessed not by worshiping God correctly (or bowing <strong>to</strong> Jesus devoutly or<br />
publicly outing oneself as a “sinner” or being baptized correctly by a priest) but rather<br />
by simply having the humility and the courage <strong>to</strong> reach out <strong>to</strong> others in need –<br />
especially when least wanting <strong>to</strong><br />
do so, and especially <strong>to</strong> those<br />
deemed “least deserving” of the<br />
same (see Matthew 5:40-44, Matthew<br />
10:7, Matthew 24:12-14 et al).<br />
And indeed, it is this Heaven<br />
and this Heaven alone that<br />
harmonizes with the heavenly<br />
Father of Christ whose Love is<br />
without end or measure (Matthew<br />
5:48) – it is this Heaven and this<br />
Heaven alone that harmonizes<br />
with that God whose mercy is<br />
over-arching (Luke 6:36), and it is<br />
this Heaven and this Heaven alone<br />
that resonates with a God whose<br />
Forgiveness lives without end<br />
(Matthew 8:21-22 + 1 John 4:18 +<br />
Luke 15:11-32, the Parable of the<br />
Prodigal Son et al).<br />
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