Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. For me especially, since all the bad parts (swollen ankles, extra pounds, uncomfortable sleep) were Kelly’s problems, not mine! But, still, a beautiful thing! The idea that a little human is growing in there, that God blesses us in that way, is absolutely amazing. I know that not everyone has a wonderful experience being pregnant, but the whole process is a witness to our God’s boundless creativity, love, and goodness, nonetheless.
Part of what makes it so beautiful is always what makes it so brilliant—the timing. Nine months is perfect: enough time to get ready (or as ready as any parent ever is), and soon enough to get things rolling when the time comes. The anticipation! The expectation! The mystery. All adds to the wonder of this particular gift from God.
The timing also puts a twist on how we think of parenting—when do you become a parent? When the baby is born? Or, while the pregnancy is ongoing? I think you could easily speak in either sense—pregnancy is an indication that parenthood is on the way. But, pregnancy is also parenthood if only in a unique manner. Pregnancy indicates that parenthood has not yet arrived, but in some ways, is already here.
The connection to the Gospel promises of the Kingdom is obvious. In some ways, the promises of salvation are yet to appear in their fullness—complete freedom from sin; the manifest presence of God face-to-face; a society of justice, grace, and love. These and so many more are the promises of the Kingdom of God, and we eagerly await their coming (“Thy Kingdom come…”). But, in other concrete ways, the Kingdom is upon us right now—forgiveness of our sin is not something that will happen in the future, it is part of the present Kingdom life of a citizen of Heaven. Redemption is not simply a future act, it is a present reality. Our adoption as children of God is not something that happens once we arrive in Heaven, but is a truth of our existence right now.
The Kingdom is coming! The Kingdom is here! The Kingdom is a future reality that we pray for, work for, and eagerly await. The Kingdom is also a present reality, the existence of which we witness and testify to every day. And we will continue to do so as we gather in worship this week. To prepare, read Colossians 1:13-14 and Luke 17:20-21.
- Colossians 1:13, Paul says we have been “delivered” from darkness. What does that word choice imply? What does being “delivered” mean?
- Colossians 1:14 describes the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son. What aspects of that Kingdom does Paul emphasize? What are the markers for being transferred from one domain to another?
- Luke 17:20. What reason would the Pharisees have for asking Jesus when the Kingdom is coming? Why would they bother to ask this question?
- According to Jesus, the Kingdom is not coming in ways one could observe. Such as what? What ways might someone expect the Kingdom to come?
- The idea that the Kingdom has come, yet is still coming, sounds confusing. Yet, how do you see it played out in your Christian life—here, but not yet here?
By Henry Knapp