In the very center of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ most famous message, he says: “seek first [God’s] kingdom and righteousness.” In many ways these words are the core of the sermon, a summary of what it means to participate in God’s mission. But what exact is The Kingdom of God, and how does a person “seek” it?
This year we’re intentionally asking this question in connection with our school’s mission. Practically, Seeking God’s kingdom looks like:
- Taking stock of our current concerns, pursuits, investments. What am I running after right now?
- Exploring the Scriptures to better know God’s heart. What do You care about, God?
- Prioritizing God’s will and way in every situation, decision and relationship. By doing this we will experience the community and purpose he has in store for us. What are you up to in this world, God? In my own life? In my community? How can I join You?
These questions apply whether you’re a student, a parent, a teacher, or a grandparent. They’re relevant for chemists, artists, engineers, mathematicians, biblical scholars, actors, and athletes. These questions apply whether you know exactly what you want to do with your life or if you haven’t got the foggiest idea.
Seeking God’s Kingdom first doesn’t simply mean prioritizing religious activities in our lives (though these things are important!), but about aligning our hearts to His in everything that we do. Seeking God’s Kingdom is the process through which Christ’s heart enters Christ’s Body (AKA the Church) in a way that overshadows all other allegiances, transforming our love, identity, and mission. These ideas can be seen represented in the theme logo like this:
Everyday objects
These images—a pencil, a basketball, an airplane, a pie, etc.—are meant to prompt the question, “What does my “normal,” day-to-day life have to do with God’s story? Henry Zylstra wrote that “nothing matters but the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, but because of the kingdom, everything else matters.” Seeking first means inviting God’s reign and rule into every aspect, every element, every corner of our lives.
Lamb/Lion
Halfway through Mark’s gospel, after eight chapters of speculation, Peter declares that Jesus is in fact the king they had been waiting for (Mark 16:13-20). From this point on, the pressing question becomes, “Okay, but how will Jesus king?” How will he take the throne? What kind of Messiah will he be? Will he rule like a lion and challenge Israel’s enemies with the power of the sword?
Contrary to the common expectations of his followers, Jesus insists that he will become king not by taking power, but by submitting to a cross.In the final book of the Bible, the Apostle John sees a vision of God’s throne. An Elder says to him, “Look, the Lion has triumphed!” But when John looks, he instead sees “a lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6).
The Lion who won is actually a Lamb who lost! This mystery informs the kind of Upside Down Kingdom we’ll discover (and be called into!) as we seek it with all our hearts, intentionally this school year, but also through all our lives.