Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 22:2, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.”

Weddings bring out smiles and best wishes from almost everyone. Private or public, we pause to pay our respects to the bride and groom.

In many cultures an entire town joins in the celebration. Or the festivities last many days. In some historical references a wedding was also an opportunity for far-flung relatives to congregate, for nobles to consolidate alliances, and for traders to contract future interests.

Wealthy fathers provide sumptuous feasts and the pleasure of the celebration multiplies with an invitation to the meal. We feel included. We bask in the joy of the day. Who would refuse?

In Jesus’ parable the king sent his slaves into the streets with a command. Fill the wedding hall. Find replacements for the delinquent guests. And the slaves gathered all they could find, both good and evil.

Wonder of wonder. We are included in the invitation. “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.””

I can’t imagine, Lord, dining at Your banquet. Give me the courage I pray to step across Your threshold and taste the delights of Your table. Thank you for extending Your hand, for embracing me into Your family circle.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:16

“I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,

and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Mark 4:30, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?”

Seeking to bridge the gap, searching for a means of communication Jesus reaches for a concrete image, a point of relationship; a familiar picture, a story.

Metamorphosis. Changed. Caterpillar to butterfly.

Basic concepts clearly detailed and defined. Even to a young child we can describe the process, show a demonstration, observe the phenomena. Science opens up doors of discovery. We follow intricate paths with increasing fascination. Further and further we explore.

Caterpillar to chrysalis to creation.

“With what can we compare or what parable will we use for it?” Of 800,000 species of insects discovered, butterflies are the second largest order, outnumbered only by beetles. Fragile beauty living a reality unseen, unnoticed, amidst our hectic lives.

Except, occasionally, we pause to watch in wonder when this delicate life dances before us catching our attention. And we wonder at its ethereal flight. And we are amazed.

Glimpses of beauty, peace and love draw me toward Your kingdom, Lord, and my heart catches within me. I long to recognize it, live in it. Lift me I pray. Prepare Your chrysalis for me that I too may be changed .

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 145:10-11

All your works shall give thanks to you,

O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,

Kingdom Manna

Kingdom Manna Introduction

We pray “Thy kingdom come” on a regular basis as we seek to follow the Lord’s invitation to live in His family. But are we any more aware of what God’s kingdom is than the bewildered disciples were when they struggled to grasp Jesus’ stories and metaphors? Or Joshua, as God led him through ‘un-worldly’ military tactics?

How do we recognize the kingdom? Live it? Explore it? Share it? Do we find it as if under a microscope or do we need to develop peripheral vision? In these reflective meditations we'll glimpse into kingdom characteristics, and explore their relevance to our modern world and lives. Please share as you discover your own of prose, poetry, questions and journal insights.

Treasures

John 6:31, Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

“Manna-what is it?” Israel asked, mystified by the flaky fiber carpeting the earth, surrounding their camp.

“Bread from the Lord,” Moses replied. Gather as much as each needs, an omer apiece, one day at a time.

They did not, could not, recognize the substance. They struggled to comprehend it, classify it, cook it.

Food from heaven. Fare of the angels.

Morning by morning the heavenly meal fed them, sustained them, nourished them for forty years.

Bewildered disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ kingdom, too. Not of this earth, but sufficient for the needs of each day. Not a fact explainable, but a fact undeniable. A different reality, sent from God, delivered by Jesus’ own hand.

Thoughts crowd, convict my mind. God’s kingdom present here, now? Can I grasp it? Explore it? Live it? What does it mean?

Far reaching implications. Fruit from God’s house.

Open my eyes, Lord, I pray, to see Your kingdom clearly and live each day nourished by spiritual manna.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 78: 24-25

he rained down on them manna to eat,

and gave them the grain of heaven.

Mortals ate of the bread of angels,

he sent them food in abundance.

Tabernacle

Veil

Holy of Holies

protected behind

royal curtain

uncontaminated sanctuary

of yearly redemption

received sins offerings.

Rent from top to

bottom by Christ’s

own blood paid

once only—opening

redemption’s access to

purified worship.

With confidence

we come, follow

His truth

continual fellowship

door way to

reconciliation.

John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Tabernacle

Sheaf

He offered Himself

for our acceptance

a lamb without blemish

first fruits

of harvest

in heaven’s kingdom

for Him we belong

as gathered wheat.

Revelation 7:30, “Your own hands shall bring the Lord’s offering by fire,”

Tabernacle

Redemption

Incorruptible acacia

offered for service

overlaid with gold

in temple worship.

Incorruptible branch

offered for service

heaven’s glory

root of redemption.

Zechariah 6:12, “ Here is a man whose name is Branch for he shall branch out in his place; and he shall build the temple of the Lord.”

Tabernacle

Table

In the Lord’s presence

on the table always

a commitment of the people

as a covenant forever,

twelve’s loaves of bread

pure frankincense

offering as by fire.

In the presence of our enemies

the Lord sets a table

His covenant to anoint

uphold, sustain always.

In the presence of all people

a table of witness

proclaims His death

until His return,

breaking the bread

of one body

broken in commitment, always.

Leviticus 24:8, “Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the Lord continually;”

Tabernacle

Sanctuary

When God entered the

earthly tabernacle,

mankind’s replica,

His glory overfilled

overwhelmed that

none could enter

not even Moses.

Word became flesh

dwelt among mankind

Jesus approachable

visible glory

filling lives

with eternity.

Watching always

in His sanctuary

true tabernacle

glory unhindered

overwhelming love

pours down

healing earthly cries.

Hebrews 8:2, “ a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any other, has set up.”