Enter the Kingdom

Luke 18:15-17 Now they were bringing infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to hm, saying, "let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it".

Big eyes. Brains spinning. Smiles wide. Feet moving swiftly. This would decribe Cal and Alison as they approached the gates of Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom for the frst time. It was clear that they were being drawn with anticipation in to a place unlike any other that they had seen or been in before. I guess you could say that they "felt the magic". Even though I enjoy watching my children enjoy life, it is hard for me to feel much magic as money seems to evaporate and waiting in line is at the bottom of my favorite things to do list. I do it for them (actually for Evie).

Jesus clearly says to the disciples "Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it". Now we have all heard good truths about what Jesus is after before. It is clear that He is saying:
>Children are dependent on others
>Children are more humble and likely to yield
>Children are more likely to follow as they do not see themselves as "self sufficient"
>Most children have no money pile to lean on for security
>Most children sense they need a leader and help

All of those statements are true. One thing that also must be true is that if we don't stand on the outside looking in at the beautiful amazing Kingdom of Christ with at least the same wonder fascination and anticipation as my kids outside Disney then we probably don't see Christ clearly. I am not making any suggestions that a life following Christ is like an entertainment park full of nothing but fun and candy as it is not. What I am saying is that a man created a "kingdom with a mouse as king" that has captured the thoughts and investments of many. Isn't it safe to assume then that Christ's heavenly Kingdom is infinitely more majestic? I think so. If we see Jesus for who He really is, and we see the majesty of His Kingdom, we will not drudgingly enter the gates of His Kingdom in misery. How can we? He saves us, feeds us, allows us to breathe. He heals us, Loves us and is the author of anything that is Good that we know including Life itself. He is worthy to be marvelled at. He is Holy enough to captivate our minds with the majesty of His divinity. When, by His grace, we can see these things, then we come into the Kingdom with hearts full of beaming joy like Cal and Alison looking,smelling, hearing and feeling the magnitude of a new "kingdom" that offers something entirely new. Christ's kingdom offers life, hope and all things that are beneficial. When we beg for mercy from Christ as our suffering savior and submit to Him as our coming King, then we get our "fast pass" if you will into His kingdom. (Sorry I had to use teh fast pass term, the fast pass is the only redeeming thing I personally see at Disney).

The one thing that God has clearly showed me over the past five years is that Jesus is my treasure and His magnitude is beyond titanic. For 34 years I sat outside the gates of His Kingdom thinking if I went in I would have to stop "having fun" and be like all of the people I knew that went to church who were mired in a miserable religious role. I was in Church all of these years going through the motions, but I never sensed the royal invite from my regal king to be engaged by and lost in His Glory.. For decades I lived in the kingdom of religion, Not the Kingdom of God.

The Glory of Christ is marvelous, majestic and divine. Have you ever sensed the exhiliration of running into the gates of His Kingdom?

This Easter, sense the Glory. Look up at the Cross. Worship the Christ!