The kingdom of God makes no earthly sense. Kingdom ideals and values and approaches to problem solving are often the complete opposite of what we find in the world.
As an example, consider how one “moves up” or advances in the kingdom of God.
Jesus said…
“The greatest among you will be your servant. {12} For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.’ ” (Mark 9:35)
In the kingdom of God, the “greatest” is the one who is the “servant of all” — not the one who is being served.
That’s the exact opposite of what we see in the world. In the world the greatest are those who are chauffeured and waited upon and who have others to take care of the small matters. In the kingdom, the greatest among us are those who will roll up their sleeves and serve others. The more humble you are, the greater you are. The kingdom model is one of “downward mobility” as compared to the upward mobility so many strive for.
Here’s another example.
Jesus said:
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
To find life…you must lose your life.
Again, the exact opposite of what see today.
I would say the majority of people today are trying to experience “life” to the fullest. They want to have a rich and fulfilling life — even if they’re not entirely sure what that means.
Many have concluded it has something to do with their identity. If they can answer life’s most basic question — “Who am I?” — they feel they will find the life they have been missing.
Previous generations defined themselves in terms of the material things they owned, the amount of wealth they had, their occupation, their political views or their religious affiliation. While many in this generation still look to those things, others do not find fulfillment in them. They have sought to define themselves in other ways such as the causes they support, their sexual predilections and by redefining their gender identity.
So when Jesus says — “You must lose your life to find it!” — it sounds bizarre to their ears. Yet it is clear that generations of people have not found “life” in material things or wealth or a job title though they have searched hard. And this generation won’t find it in a cause or in atypical sexuality or by trying on a different gender identity.
L-i-f-e is only found in Christ! Jesus said —
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Until we begin to look for life in the places where Jesus said we will find it, it will remain elusive to us.
We could give example after example of the upside down values and principles of the kingdom.
You get more by giving (Luke 6:38).
When we are at our weakest is when we are the strongest (2 Corinthians 9:10).
Enemies and persecutors should be…loved (Matthew 5:44).
When someone does you wrong, do good unto them (Matthew 5:39-40).
When asked to do something that is unfair, do even more than is asked of you (Matthew 5:41).
When wronged, consider letting the matter go (1 Corinthians 6:7).
And always forgive those who have wronged you (Matthew 6:14-15).
Someone has written:
“The way of Jesus is countercultural. It is upside-down and inside-out — a kingdom, where weakness is power, power is weakness, and suffering leads to glory. For He has told us: ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world’ (John 18:36).” (Preston Sprinkle, theologyintheraw.com)
What Jesus says may sound backwards to you, the exact opposite of what you have heard. But please understand: His kingdom is not of this world and is not guided by the values and principles of this world. And yet, His way is the only way to experience life and peace and joy this side of eternity (cf. John 16:33).