”Our Father in heaven, hallowed…” Matthew 6:9a
Our Father in heaven is ‘hallowed’ or TO be ‘hallowed’. I don’t know about you, but I am not sure what ‘hallowed’ is, other than it sounds serious. What Jesus was saying is the name of God is Holy. To put it another way, God’s name is anything but common. His is not just any other run of the mill, ordinary name we use. God’s name is the highest, most glorious, powerful name to be uttered by humanity. His name is never to be taken lightly or in vain. Of all the famous people living, or to have lived, God’s name is the one that counts. David wrote in Psalm 138:2, ‘God has exalted above all things, His Name and His Word.’ There is nothing higher or greater than the Lord - you name it: sin; sickness; disease; bankruptcy; divorce; kings; judges; popes and presidents; drug lords; landlords; actors and athletes. God’s name is first, therefore, we should be seeking:
HIS KINGDOM…
”…Your kingdom come…” Matthew 6:10a
The Kingdom of God is found in two places - heaven and in people’s hearts. He controls the former, we control the latter. By that I mean we either accept His Kingdom in our hearts or reject it all together. Ignoring both is considered by God , rejection as well. Once we’ve accepted His Kingdom in our hearts, we need to then seek (ask for, look to, believe for) His kingdom in all areas of our lives. Everything about God’s Kingdom is for His glory, for our good and the good of all creation (people, plants and animals). This is because God’s Kingdom is only good, with no evil.
…AND HIS WILL.
”…Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10b
The word ‘will’, which Jesus used has two meanings. The first is what God wants, desires or brings Him joy. The second is what He has determined to be done - His purpose for what He created. So, what does God want from us and for the world? His desire and purpose for us is: love over hate; mercy over judging; peace over conflict; good over evil; giving over greed or grasping; forgiveness over vengeance; and life over death. Doing these will bring God’s Kingdom and His Will, ‘on earth as it is in Heaven’.
Commenti