What it Takes to Experience the Kingdom Life After Death

To twenty-first century "Western Christian" ears, Jesus' teaching on the requirements of entering in to the Kingdom seem unrealistic and radical.  In Luke 14:25-35, He spells out these truths in clear and convincing ways.  Is the problem with the teaching, or rather with our own unwillingness to give up our cultural tainted perception of abundant living (John 10:10)?  In other words, do we have ears to hear?  Listen to these words from a commentary on Luke 14:35 from the Believers Bible Commentary:     

The Lord Jesus closed the message on discipleship with the words "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Those words imply not everyone will have the willingness to listen to the stringent terms of discipleship.  But if a person is willing to follow the Lord Jesus, no matter what the cost may be, then he should hear and follow.

What's the answer to this rather perplexing dilemma? I believe the key is properly valuing the Kingdom of God in the age to come.  After all, didn't He extensively teach on the message of repentance and the good news of the Kingdom, the value of which which we can't see without being born above (John 3:3)?  And Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the great treasure in Matthew 13:44, which Paul later described as "unfathomable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8):  

 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in great joy went and sold everything he owned, and bought that field."  

This message beautifully summarizes His three point teaching in Luke 14:25-35.  The question is, do we believe Jesus assessment of the treasure and are we willing to follow this wise man in the parable's example?  If not, aren't we essentially giving up the Kingdom in the coming age?  According to Jesus, paying any price to follow Him seems like the clear choice.  

For more insights on these teachings, I highly recommend you check three podcasts related to this subject:


I leave you with these thoughts:

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).   Meditate on this in the context of this blog post.  

Maranatha! 

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