OceanSide church of Christ

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PHYSICAL TERMS?  OR, SPIRITUAL TERMS? (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            In last week’s article, we looked at some examples from the gospel of John wherein individuals focused upon the physical instead of the spiritual as Jesus was trying to teach them.  One of those times involved a very well-trained religious leader named Nicodemus.  When Jesus spoke of being born again, this religious ruler could only think in terms of the physical.  He even asked Jesus:  “How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4).  We have a tendency to laugh at Nicodemus now. But, should we?  We often think in terms of the physical just like Nicodemus did.

            KINGDOM.  There are many individuals who hear the word “kingdom” and think of an earthly kingdom.  They are many religious people who believe that when Jesus comes again, He will establish a literal kingdom in the city of Jerusalem and reign for a thousand years upon the literal throne of David.  This is interesting in light of what Jesus says in John 18:36.  The verse reads:  “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I would not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.”  Jesus could not have said it any plainer.  His kingdom is not of this world.  He did not come to establish an earthly kingdom the first time.  He is not coming to establish an earthly kingdom the second time.  His kingdom is here right now.  The Colossians had been translated into the kingdom (Col. 1:13).  The Hebrews had received a kingdom (Heb. 12:28).  John was a companion in the kingdom with those to whom he addressed the Revelation (Rev. 1:9).  When the dead are raised at Jesus’ coming, the kingdom will not begin according to Paul.  At that time, Jesus will return it back to the Father.  “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are his at his coming.  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power” (I Cor. 15:22-24). 

            FAMILY.  When most hear the word “family,” their physical families come to mind.  These are the individuals who are dear to their hearts.  These are the ones with whom they desire to spend as much time as possible.  These are the ones they truly love and adore.  Most will only think of their Christian family second.  This was not how Jesus thought of family.  At the age of twelve, his mother and father found Him at the temple.  Listen to the conversation between Jesus and his mother.  “And when they saw him, they were amazed:  and his mother said unto him, son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?  behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?  wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:48-49).  Jesus understood the important relationship that He had with His heavenly Father.  He yearned to be close to Him.  He longed to always be doing His business.  On another occasion in Jesus’ life, His brethren and mother desired to see Him.  The multitude told Him, saying:  “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee” (Mark 3:32).  “And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?  And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of my God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” (Mark 3:33-35).  Jesus understood the importance of His spiritual family.  He exalted this family over His fleshly ties.  Do we think as Jesus thought?  When we think of family does our spiritual family come first?

            FOOD.  Everyone is ready to go when they hear the words:  “Let’s go eat.”  People love food.  Hamburgers, hotdogs, steaks, soups, salads, side dishes, and desserts all bring a smile to our face.  Most, however, do not think about God’s Word when food is mentioned.  If they were told they were being taken to get some food and were brought to Bible class, they would be confused.  We just do not contemplate food for the soul very often.  Yet, that is exactly what God’s Word is.  It contains both milk and meat.  Peter exhorts us, saying:  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Pet. 2:2).  The Hebrew writer mentions the meat of God’s Word in Hebrews 5:14.  “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”  When you desire food, what is it you crave?  Is it physical food?  Or, do you yearn for the bread of life found in God’s Word?

            HOME.  Home is a word that brings warmth to the soul.  Most of the time when we think of home, we think of the place where we presently reside.  We go on a trip and we can’t wait to get home.  Home also brings back memories of the home in which we grew up.  We think of mom and dad, brothers and sisters, and all the family experiences shared “way back when.”  But, how many of us think of heaven when we hear the word “home”?  For the child of God, this world is not home.  We are strangers in this world.  We are sojourners.  As the old hymn says:  “We are just a passing through.”  Home lies beyond.  Paul writes:  “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).  We, like the patriarchs, “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly” (Heb. 11:16).  Yes, heaven should be the home we think about deep within our hearts.

            What is it you think about when you hear the words family, food, and home?  Does your mind think about physical things?  Or, does your mind contemplate spiritual things?  Most think about physical things first.  It takes a lot of spiritual grown and spiritual discipline to think of spiritual things first.  Our prayer for all of us is similar to the prayer Paul made for the faithful in Christ Jesus in Ephesus.  “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph. 1:15-19).