We have previously seen that Jesus came to establish God's reign in this world through his life, death and resurrection. He teaches us this important truth in the Gospels, especially in the stories of the Gospels that we call the parables. We will look a little further into this truth as our story continues to unfold.

THE TIME FOR DECISION IS RIGHT NOW

Jesus' stories urged people to recognize that the time of crisis was upon them. (This was true in several ways, especially given the political and social context of his time and the fall of Jerusalem that would come in A.D.70.) The signs of the times are not difficult to grasp. People can see that a forceful wind, a coming weather pattern, and a budding fig tree, all point to something urgent and obvious. Why is it that his reign is not grasped by those who should pay attention to the numerous signs? To live as if things will always be the same is to not prepare for the night burglar. It is to collect great wealth and believe that such possessions will protect me in the day of death. And it is like a gatekeeper who falls asleep and doesn't watch for his master's return as he should.

This theme occurs in the stories of the children in the marketplace (Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35), the sayings about the signs of the times (Matthew 16:2-3; Luke 12:54-56), the budding fig tree (Mark 13:28; Matthew 24:32-33; Luke 21:29-31), the coming great supper (Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:16-24), the servant who was given authority (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46), the ten virgins who were to prepare for a wedding (Matthew 25:1-3), the story of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27), the uselessness of salt that has lost its effectiveness (Matthew 5:13; Luke 14:34-35), the doorkeeper (Mark 13:33-37), the night burglar (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), and the unproductive fig tree (Luke 13:6-9).

In all of these stories Jesus is prodding people to make up their minds. If they fail to be ready they will be like useless salt, thrown out. But like a fig tree people can be tended, or even tend their own hearts, and eventually they will produce fruit. Jesus is saying, and saying it openly and plainly, make up your minds in a short time for soon there will be no time left.

DECICISIVE ACTION IS NEEDED

Cunningham suggests that as Jesus ministry progressed his tone of urgency increased. In images that grow more forceful he warns that a carefully thought out plan of action, which results in total commitment to his kingdom, is needed. "Vacillation can no longer be excused. One was either for God's reign or against it" (Jesus and the Evangelists, University Press of America: Lanham, Maryland, 1993, Cunningham, 153).

The failure to decide will be like someone going to court who loses his case and then is imprisoned (Matthew 5:25-26; Luke 12:58-59). It is better to settle in advance than risk incarceration.

One of the parables that has always intrigued me is the story of the corrupt steward in Luke 16:1-7. A dishonest accountant, who is about to be exposed for his corrupt practices, decides to take action. He halves the debts owed to his employer in order to have friends who will assist him when he is unemployed. He is shrewd but this only underscores the point-he recognizes a crisis when he sees one and he acts to try to solve it, even though his actions are illegal and not commended by Jesus in any sense. The point, often missed, is clear-even a corrupt person will prepare for a coming crisis. No one should just sit there and do nothing.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is meant to awaken people to their peril by saying they must pay attention to Moses and the prophets and what they announced-God wants his people to repent and to live in the "dawning of the reign of God" (Cunningham, 154).

LIVING IN THE REIGN OF GOD

Since the arrival of the long-expected reign of God is the most important event in human history the only acceptable response is immediate, total commitment to God's values. Once you come to accept that God's reign is what matters in this world and the next, then you must pursue this without turning back. To pursue this kingdom is to live as God does; be merciful, loving and selfless. Citizens of this kingdom must stand ready to forgive others' debts and show mercy to them.

I recently watched an interesting documentary titled "Forgiving Dr. Mengele." Josef Mengele was the German doctor at Auschwitz who conducted horrific studies on children who were twins. The Jewish woman, who is featured on this film, speaks of forgiving Dr. Mengele and most of her fellow holocaust victims find this unthinkable. The kind of forgiveness that is considered in this moving film is not altogether sound biblically, but the film raises the great question: How far do you go in forgiving another person? Jesus' life was characterized by chesed, the Jewish word that cannot be easily translated into English. It carries the idea of a permanent, irrevocable, unconditional and covenantal love. It means limitless mercy and forgiveness. God so loves and forgives because he is God. Chesed could never be merited. It was an expression of God's nature and it changes those who are touched by it. Jesus brings this chesed into the world when he initiates the reign of God through his kingdom.

The treasure in the field (Matthew 13:44); the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45), the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35), the judgment of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:26-30; Luke 12:24-27) all illustrate aspects of this point. We must relate to one another with chesed because this is how God relates to us.

THE ARRIVAL OF GOD'S KINGDOM

Jesus teaches in the story of the weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30), the fishing net (Matthew 13:47-50), the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26-30), and the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-26) "that the ultimate completion of all creation, and the universal acknowledgement of the reign of God, will see the vindication of the just and the downfall of the wicked" (Cunningham, 156). This idea is very much in keeping with Jewish belief and is developed extensively in the Book of Revelation.

Since God is holy then his reign will ultimately be holy. Sin must be dealt with and it will finally be uprooted in the last day, but not until then. "The weeds among the wheat will be uprooted, the bad fish caught up with the good in the fishing net will be discarded, and, as in the days of Noah and Lot, the evil will be no more" (Cunningham, 156). There is a note of warning in all these stories but there also a note of real hope. All hunger, thirst and pain will be removed in the final day. The chesed of Yahweh will once again reign on earth as all of creation is restored to the form of the original condition, without sin, evil and death. (And theologians have rightly concluded that there will be no possibility for the whole scenario of the fall to take place again once the redemptive purpose of God is totally accomplished. Put simply, a new possibility for a fall would not be a complete redemption and final victory!)

CONCLUSION

Jesus was about the kingdom. His purpose was to reveal the long-expected reign of God. This was true good news. His Lordship will prevail and the outcasts, the lost and sinners from every tribe, nation and tongue on planet earth, will be there rejoicing in the victory of the Lamb.

Meanwhile God is renewing all things, not just human beings who believe the gospel of good news, and preparing this marvelous world for a final act that will stun us all (Romans 8). If we understand this purpose we have every reason to enter into the mission of Jesus with hope and joy. Defeatism is not an option with such a view.