“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:33-34 esv
My devotional reading this morning comes from theologian, Kosuke Koyama. He speaks to the understanding of “Messianic Excitement.” He asks if we live in this excitement today?
Koyama speaks to the Japanese people on 1947.05.03 when their new constitution for Japan took affect. In it’s preamble, they make a corporate statement that they will not live in their regrettable past, but in that day and going forward. It does not negate the past, because the past always travels with us, but it speaks about how we must live and change in the present. The preamble reads:
We, the Japanese people…
…resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war…
…desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship…
…trusting in justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.
The Greek word ἡμέρᾳ (ἩΜΈΡΑ) means a natural day or a designated period of time. Jesus calls us to focus on today, not the past, and also tells us not to worry about tomorrow. He tells us to seek the Kingdom of God in the present! Why? Because today has its own challenges, but these can be met by Messianic Excitement.
So how do we capture this joyful exuberance for the Messiah today? The first step is to name and claim your past sin that horrifically separated you from God. After all, the foundational principle of our faith is forgiveness; a forgiveness that comes from a God who loves us. (Forgive us our sins and we forgive the sins of others) This should be a freeing thing that lightens and empowers you.
Once you have handed your past horrors over and accepted “42’s” forgiveness, look for and understand where the Kingdom is today, in your context. Make a choice to passionately live is peace with others (love them) and understand and be conscious of the power of human relationship.
Then trust that God works in the world to reveal his justice and faith through others (and you). Look for other Kingdom people to team up with, and seek the benefit and welfare of every human you come across.
Messianic Excitement; this is the Christian Way!
Today and Forever
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