A kingdom of life is a humble life. As you read through each of these attitudes, you find they point to one consistent theme. They call you to set aside yourself and what matters to you here, for the blessings and rewards that come from above. (See Matthew 5:12)

Oswald Sanders, in his book, Shoe-Leather Commitment, wrote while defining the ideal disciple by the Beatitudes,

Many think that if they had abundant wealth, absence of sorrow and suffering, good health, a good job, unrestricted gratification of appetites, and kind treatment from everyone, that would be blessedness indeed. But Jesus completely reversed that concept and substituted many of the experiences we would like to sidestep—poverty, mourning, hunger, thirst, renunciation, persecution. True blessedness is to found along this path, He told them.[i]

The rewards of the kingdom are found along the path of humility. The blessings come by the pursuit of the way of the old-rugged cross. Charles Spurgeon is attributed to saying,

Hide not the offense of the cross, lest you make it of none effect. The angels and corners of the gospel are its strength: to pare them off is to deprive it of power. Toning down is not the increase of strength, but the death of it.[ii]

[i] Sanders, J. Oswald. (1990). Shoe-Leather Commitment: Guidelines for Disciples. (pg. 12). The Moody Bible Institute. Chicago, IL USA.

[ii] Citing C.H. Spurgeon. McCraken, Brett. (2017). Uncomfortable. (pg. 44). Crossway. Wheaton, Illinios USA.

With John the Baptist out of the picture and a new audience, Jesus launches out into His ministry, calling both Jew and Gentile.

The Lord Jesus Christ took our sin upon Himself so that we could make peace with God. (See Romans 5:1; 1 Peter 2:24) As we come to this Table, remembering our redemption, I stand in awe and reverence of my Great God and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. I am motivated to live my life in a way that would be honouring and pleasing to Him.

As Paul introduces this subject, he concludes that you can be the most talented person in the world, but without love that talent is useless. He then writes you can be the smartest and wisest person to walk the earth, but without love that knowledge and understanding are pointless. Then he adds, you can be the most charitable person, but without love, your life is a waste.

Paul's conclusion sounds so simple, but the reality stands if you genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of others, Love is What You Need.

My King came down and faced what I face. He experienced the same life that I encounter. My Kings call to follow Him is not out of some superiority complex. His call is from a heart of humility. He has been where I have been and has faced what I have faced.

And before Matthew gets to the actual ministry of Jesus, he takes some time to continue this thought as we come into chapter 4. Matthew reveals to us The Temptation of the King.

The Beatitudes deal heavily with our character, for the Kingdom life is defined by the inner man. Kingdom life is about the attitude of the heart.

Meekness is power under control.

Do you know Jesus for real or just virtually?

Though many try to disprove its reality, the truth of the resurrection stands. Jesus is alive, the grave could not hold Him. Even the Gentile leaders of that time could not disprove the testimony spoken by those first-century followers of Jesus. Listen to Paul’s defence to Festus’ accusation that his studies had made him a mad man.

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. (Acts 26:25–26)

The evidence is undeniable, Jesus has risen, will you believe the testimony?

The Baptism of the King would not be one of John’s typical baptisms. It would not be a baptism unto repentance, for Jesus had no need to repent and had no sin to confess. So why did Jesus, the King, need to be baptised? And indeed this was John’s question.

In an era of uncertainty, we can and should be beacons of light. We shine as we walk in faith, walk in hope, and walk in love.