Childishly Simple

It is difficult. There is something about the Kingdom of God that is elusive. Ears are deaf to its invitation and blind to its whereabouts, yet it is near at hand. Tax collectors and prostitutes find it easier to enter, than do the wealthy and religious. The kingdom is hidden and costly to gain. It is a pearl of great price. Once discovered it causes us to choose between everything else we possess, and itself. We must sell all we have to gain it, but it is worthy of the sacrifice – A priceless treasure. The more we have of wealth and reputation in the world, the greater the sacrifice that must lie upon the altar. Hence the difficulty for the wealthy and respected. It is a treasure hidden in a field, discovered accidently and instantly bringing us to a conflict of emotions. It is irresistibly attractive and can be obtained, but how great the cost will be.

Salvation is not costly, and nor is it difficult. It was costly for Christ, and torturously difficult for him to obtain for us. It comes to us as a free gift with an open invitation. The cares of this World may compete to hinder our entry. We may not make those hard choices. I have married a wife. I have bought a team of oxen. I have purchased a field. Career or success, investments and relationships can hold us back. It is a choice between this world and the next, decided and experienced in the here-and-now. The choice is clear, but the sacrifice of turning our back on the World is painful. The choice is so simple that a child could choose correctly. In fact, we need to be like a child to overcome the difficulty of our choice . . .

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Mark 10:15

The Kingdom of God is a place. It is nothing short of paradise – The paradise of God the Father. It is his house – A wonderful place where he lavishes his blessings on us, from out of an abundant store. The World, another place, competes for our attention and our residency. Where will we dwell? To turn our back on the world is to leave empty-handed. All of our wealth, and all of our possessions must be laid down to leave that place. Our reputation is a garment that we cannot wear on the quest to find the kingdom. But the World is no real loss. It is a hard and oppressive system. It shows no mercy. “Conform or perish”, it declares to us. It squeezes us and manipulates us. Over our head a constant threat – Conform or lose your wealth and reputation. The Father’s house is a place of escape from the cruel tyranny of the World. Living under the regime is no life at all. The Father’s house is a place of pasture, and of abundant life. It is difficult, but also childishly simple.