Thy Kingdom Come
When I was a young girl, my mother gave me a small note card on which she had written the Lord’s Prayer using her black Flair felt-tipped pen: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…
She encouraged me to memorize this prayer and say it at church during the liturgy, which I did, and have said hundreds of times since.
But this morning, I found myself praying that prayer, and the phrase, “Thy kingdom come,” stood out to me.
As I spoke it out, I wondered, What am I asking when I pray it?
Maybe I’m asking:
Jesus, come back soon and be our king!
Let me be a part of your kingdom work here and now today!
God, please come back and set the world right!
Maybe it means all these things.
Maybe it also means that I can have a part in noticing that wherever Jesus is, there is his kingdom.
Today, I read, “The kingdom of God is unassuming, unshowy, easily miss-able but quietly transformative.” (Lectio 365)
Jesus often illustrated his kingdom by bringing small things to our attention.
Yeast
Lost sheep
Mustard seeds
Misplaced coins
And so, perhaps, in searching for the kingdom of God, I need to inspect the corners, gaze into the small nooks and crannies, and search for the tiny things that might seem insignificant. There, I might find what I am looking for.
This morning, I read in Luke 21:1-4:
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.”
As I read this story, I close my eyes and imagine that I am standing there with Jesus, watching people bring their gifts to the temple treasury.
I see a rich man stride in, bringing his generous offering. I see his expensive clothes and the size of his gift.
Many eyes turn to see his offering and he seems pleased with the attention he is receiving. I also admire his large offering, knowing that it will be appreciated.
As we watch the activity of this temple routine, an elderly widow shuffles in.
Dressed as one who does not have much extra money, I wonder who she is and what she might have to offer the temple treasury.
I watch as she stops and quietly drops in two coins, bows, and prays. We can’t hear her, but we can see that she is not asking for attention but is humbly praying.
I notice that her offering is small and wonder if it is even worth it.
I’m surprised when Jesus points her out. He admires her for giving so freely of the small amount she has to live on.
I find myself wondering about this scene. In our society we measure amounts and we admire big givers.
Rich people often get treated with admiration and attention, sometimes envy.
But Jesus focused on a poor widow who seemingly had nothing to offer.
He recommended that we “Look at her!”
And in essence, he was encouraging us to admire her.
It wasn’t for the large numbers she was dropping into the offering place.
Rather, I think it was because of the freedom in which she gave the very little she had.
I wonder if this has something to do with bringing the kingdom of God.
I think Jesus might encourage us to open our eyes to the needs around us and then quietly drop in the coins, give a meal, offer a ride, sit with the grieving, and hold the baby.
I realize that the offering that catches Jesus’ attention is the one that is given in humility, without a show.
What does this have to do with bringing His kingdom?
Maybe it’s kind of like this:
Our kids remember, with much warmth, the gift my mom had waiting for them for Christmas. She bought king-sized candy bars like Milky Way, Snickers, or Butterfinger.
Wrapping the candy bar with a ten-dollar bill, she secured it with a rubber band. Our kids loved it!
I’m going to venture a guess that they don’t remember many gifts they were given for Christmas when they were young, but they do remember, with a smile, the candy bar and $10.00 from Grandma.
Part of that joyful receiving was understanding that Grandma didn’t have much to give. But she creatively gave what she could.
And it was received with joy.
And our kids remember the love from which the candy bar and money came.
Katie Davis Majors writes, in Our Faithful God Devotional, “I am astounded that God would choose to grow his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven both through me and in me.”
The poor widow gave everything she had. She gave, not from her wealth, her strength, her easy, her overflow, or her extra. Instead, from her nearly nothing, she gave.
And Jesus noticed.
I wonder in what ways God is asking you and me to grow His kingdom.
Perhaps we should watch for ways to step in and gently, without fanfare, give of ourselves.
Gather people
Give to people
Smile and invite people
Include people
Befriend people
Visit people
Call people
Notice people
Love people
By doing what we can, the prayer, Thy Kingdom come, will be answered in and through us.
I imagine Jesus watching and saying to his Trinity comrades, “Look at her! Look at him! I am incredibly pleased!”
A Quiet Practice:
As you think about the poor widow, sit quietly and imagine that you are her.
Imagine her home, her clothes, her situation. Gather up your coins and walk toward the temple.
What does it feel like to enter the temple, poor as you are? Feel the coins in your hand.
Think about what those coins could buy. Realize your love for God and your desire to give what you have.
Step into the temple. Quietly walk to the altar. Put your two small copper coins into the treasury.
Feel the pleasure of Jesus.
Stop there and pray. What are you telling God? Stop and listen.
What do you hear God whispering to you as you consider how he is answering your prayer:
Thy Kingdom Come…