6th. April. 2022. Daily Devotion.
36 Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’ John 18:36
The accent of Jesus’ preaching falls on the announcement of the gospel of the kingdom. He declares that the kingdom has come with power and is in the midst of His people. At His ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples to be His witnesses in the world. They are to witness to the reign of Jesus as King of Kings. Jesus’ current status as cosmic King is invisible. The world is either ignorant of His sovereignty or denies it. It is the task of the church to give visible witness to the invisible kingdom.
Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God. He has already been enthroned in heaven. But it is as though He is a King in exile with few loyal subjects. At His return He will fully consummate His reign.
The New Testament indicates that the kingdom of God is both present and future. There is an “already” and a “not yet” to the kingdom. Both aspects must be understood and embraced by Christians. To view the kingdom either as already totally realized or as totally futuristic is to do violence to the message of the New Testament. We serve a King who has already been enthroned. Yet we await His triumphal return in glory when every knee will bow before Him.
Lord, guide me in every way, that I might be prepared for the coming of your Kingdom. Amen.
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to seek for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will; through Christ our Lord. Amen Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
Heavenly Lord, weaver of life and cementer of relationships, we pray that you will weave us into your goodness and into each other. Give us grace we pray, to follow closely in the way of your Son by offering a place of belonging at your table to immigrants, to people who are homeless, to people seeking asylum and to all who find themselves on the margins of our society. Help us, Lord, to offer all who need it a new and safe place in which to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
For Our Enemies
Almighty, everlasting God, through Your only Son, our blessed Lord, You commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us. Therefore, we ask you to lead our enemies toward reconciliation, that they may have the same love toward us as we have toward them, and be of one accord and of one mind and heart with us and with your whole Church through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For the Peacemakers
Lord of the nations, and God of all peace, pour out your Spirit in rich measure on those in high places and low, who continue to seek peace during this time of war. Protect them from hate and violence, open their ears, their mouths, and their hearts to pursue the goal of peace, and make the citizens they represent responsive to their care, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Peace
O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works give to us your servants the peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.