Jesus promised us that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Do we really believe that? We can say the words, but let’s be honest. Most of us think the kingdom of heaven is way off in the future somewhere. That’s what we’ve been told.
But Jesus said heaven is at hand. In fact, he even said it is within us. That’s pretty close.
What if we could learn to see things the way Jesus did? What if we could actually see the kingdom here on earth, right now?
This is possible, but we need to have the mindset of Jesus. That means we think like Jesus. No problem, right? Well, it’s not so easy.
Jesus looked the world differently than we do. He looked through the lens of heaven. When everyone around him saw a woman who was bent over for 18 years, Jesus saw her from the perspective of what is true in the kingdom of heaven, where there is no disability. When he saw her in the light of heaven’s perfection, the disability dissolved just as darkness disappears when a light switch is turned on.
When Jairus’s daughter had just died, Jesus could say “She is not dead; she is only asleep.” Everyone thought he was crazy. But they were looking at things from earth’s perspective. Jesus was looking at things from heaven’s perspective. He knew there is no death in heaven. And since heaven is at hand, there could not really be any death. The little girl came back to life.
We have the mind of Christ
We have the same ability to see things from heaven’s perspective just as Jesus did. But we don’t use this ability very often because we believe what we see with our eyes and touch with our hands. When we quit relying on the five material senses and the human mind to inform of what is true, we are more receptive to what God reveals to us about what’s going on in heaven.
We have the right to see and think the way Jesus did. We need to exercise this right. The more we do, the more we will begin to catch glimpses of heaven here on earth.
I hope you enjoy this week’s episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment below.
And I would be very grateful if you would share this with a friend.
All the best,
James
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Bible references in this episode:
Matthew 16:24 ESV
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Revelation 21:4, 27 ESV
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false,
Mark 1:15 ESV
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luke 17:21 ESV
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Acts 1:6-8 ESV
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
1 Timothy 1:15 ESV
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
John 18:37 ESV
37 For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.
John 8:32 ESV
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Genesis 1:27 ESV
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Luke 8:41, 49-55 ESV
41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”
50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”
51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.
52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.”
53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.”
55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.
1 Corinthians 2: 9 KJV
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
John 14:12 ESV
12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
