From obscurity to fame with one big break. Landing a starring role in a successful film propels an actor to a career of financial success, influence, and fame. Stardom is bestowed by fans and followers.
Stardom, boredom, martyrdom, freedom, wisdom, and kingdom. Words ending with -dom- indicate a condition (state of being) or a domain one has jurisdiction over. Freedom is the state of being free. Boredom is being bored. Martyrdom is the suffering and death for one’s belief, the condition of being a martyr. Kingdom is the state or condition of being ruled over unless you happen to be the king, then the kingdom is your domain; all you rule and the condition of being king.
When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, the example he gives elevates God’s name and then pronounces his kingdom rule on earth. “hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,” Matt 6:9,10. God’s kingdom is important to Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all show Jesus beginning his public teaching ministry by referring to the kingdom.
Matt 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 4:43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also because that is why I was sent.”
God is King. He reigns. Jesus says the kingdom came near when he arrived on the scene. He is the good news as king and ruler. But too many do not honor his name or recognize that they are under his authority. Like disgruntled or former fans, they let others elevate him, but they do not acknowledge his kingdom over them. Pray that his rule will be recognized and respected. May his kingdom come close to every heart!
Pastor John Riley