Our spiritual journey here on earth must lead us to become less conscious of the world and more conscious of the Kingdom of God. This is the mark of any person who is spiritually grown. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes, “God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. (Romans 14:17). This line indicates that Paul was urging his readers to stop being too concerned about earthly matters and instead become aware of the existence of the Kingdom of God. He spoke so confidently about it because he was fully conscious of it. To him, it had become a reality.
In the New Testament, the first time the announcement about God’s Kingdom was made, was through John the Baptist, "Turn away from your sins because the Kingdom of heaven is near!" (Matthew 3:2). Then we have Jesus preaching about the Kingdom. "Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!" (Matthew 4:17). Jesus then sends His disciples to preach about the Kingdom, “Go and preach, 'The Kingdom of heaven is near!” (Matthew 10:7). What John and Jesus were doing was they were making the people conscious about the Kingdom of God. And in all three verses, the common description of the Kingdom is that it is near.
On one occasion, Nicodemus came to Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God. No one could perform the miracles you are doing unless God were with him." (John 3:2). Again, Nicodemus was more conscious about earthly things. He was only taken up by the miracles, healings, dispossession from evil spirits, etc. He could not perceive in them the Kingdom of God. Jesus had to make him conscious about it... "I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again." (John 3:3). In a way, Jesus was telling Nicodemus the same thing, “The Kingdom of God is near you.” And having said that, He takes him to a higher level of consciousness of God’s Kingdom… "I am telling you the truth that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5). Jesus was calling him to experience it.
Thus, we see that the nature of God is not only to make us conscious of His Kingdom but also to lead us to experience it, to enter it. Jesus once told His disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. (Luke 12:32). All this suggests that the gates of the Kingdom are thrown wide open. But to enter through them, we must be faithful in doing what God requires. Jesus said, “I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires. (Matthew 5:20).
The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law claimed to obey God’s Law. But in reality, they did not. They would preach about it but not practice it. On the contrary, they made it very hard for people to even think about reaching the door of God's Kingdom. That is why, Jesus often condemned their attitude. On one occasion He said to them, "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people's faces, but you yourselves don't go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter! (Matthew 23:13).
Now, what does it mean to be more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees? Let us take one example. Jesus said, "You have heard that people were told in the past, 'Do not commit murder; anyone who does will be brought to trial.' But now I tell you: if you are angry with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother 'You good-for-nothing!' you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell. All this means there is much more to the 'Law’. And note carefully what Jesus said, “But now I tell you.” In other words, all these new demands were being made by Jesus. They are certainly more than what the Law of Moses required. Doesn’t all this sound like Jesus is making things even more difficult for us to enter God’s Kingdom? Also, don’t forget that the Father who is pleased to give us the Kingdom wants us to do only one thing - obey His Son Jesus. When the disciples heard Him speaking on the Mount of Transfiguration, this was what they heard Him say, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased—listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). Looking at the whole picture now, one would say that the invitation to enter God's Kingdom doesn't sound so welcoming. One would be tempted to think that the Kingdom is anything but near. It appears to be beyond one's reach. But then, why would Jesus come down to earth to announce to sinners, outcasts, and people like you and me, "Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!"
To be continued...