I hope you are enjoying our study of Matthew thus far. I have appreciated this fresh perspective on Jesus' ministry and His call for us to be Kingdom-minded. As I learn more about the Kingdom, I gain a greater understanding of how "Meghan-minded" I am instead of Kingdom-minded. This is a humbling teaching regarding character. Over the past few weeks, in our study we have noted:
John the Baptist urges the people (and us too!) "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(Matthew 3:2)
Jesus, the long-awaited King of the Kingdom, is here!
Jesus asks some fishermen, His disciples, (and us too!) to follow Him.
Large crowds follow, watching and listening as He proclaims the good news of His Kingdom from place to place. He has much to say about His Kingdom, and the teaching is topsy-turvy to the ears of the disciples and the crowds of people. This is a world turned upside-down way of living and loving others.
Jesus describes the character traits of the Kingdom, painting a picture of Kingdom-minded citizens. (Matthew 5:1-12)
In our passages this week, we see how Jesus corrects the character traits of the kingdom and spurs the characters—His followers (and us, too!) into action. He encourages us to be change agents for the Kingdom. Did you know that as a believer of Jesus Christ, you are a change agent? A change agent is something that changes the environment. A chemist would say, "A change agent is a catalyst that transforms something from its current state into something different.
Isn't that our Jesus? Jesus is our change agent! "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us [changed us] to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14) And now, with Him in us, in His power, He calls us to be change agents. That sounds like a big task, a bit daunting, definitely impressive, and quite impactful, in my opinion.
Do you think of yourself as a change agent? A world changer? Probably not; most of us think of ourselves as ordinary. How many of us even feel ordinary? I know I do, and Jesus knew this too. Our great teacher intentionally used two ordinary things —salt and light to show us how ordinary, everyday things, are powerful change agents. You may feel as ordinary as table salt. You may feel as unspectacular as a table lamp. But try living without salt and light for a while and you’ll see what an extraordinary difference these ordinary things make. In fact, the Romans had a proverb: “Nothing is more useful than sun and salt (Nil utilise sole et sale).” Perhaps they are very ordinary, but they are very much needed and even useful. Isn't what we desire to be useful for God, faithful as citizens of the Kingdom? (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
When Jesus changes us, we become agents of change in a dark, broken and twisted world. We are called to be different, ordinary people who can make a difference. We may not think we can, or doubt what He is asking of us, but He reminds us to "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14-15) And then in regards to our speech, He tells us, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6) When we live a life of surrender, because of Jesus in us, we will radiate as change agents, influencers, to the world around us.
❤️ Meghan
