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Jesus said His kingdom would appear insignificant as it emerged. The Kingdom would at first, He said, seem no more than a tiny mustard seed. Not at all impressive. Old Testament prophets predicted people wouldn't even be aware of the Kingdom at first. Isaiah, for instance, said that the Messiah would be "despised and rejected" (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus came to a people who were expecting a Messiah to appear. Many of them, however, did not comprehend who He was. He just did not seem impressive enough.
To some looking on today, God's kingdom may not inspire awe. Don't be caught napping. The Kingdom is present. It is growing in presence and power. I've glimpsed some mighty Kingdom feats in Haiti. Today, the Kingdom is at work there as well as elsewhere. In Haiti, the Kingdom is giving sight to the blind. It is cleansing the lepers, making the deaf to hear, and making the lame to walk. Most important of all, the Kingdom is giving the Good News to the poor.
As I've watched the Holy Spirit of God at work in Haiti, I always come away reassured that on the day of the Resurrection, Jesus will remove all disorders and blemishes from our bodies. He will clothe us in immortal health, beauty, and glory. That's our hope. This brutal, cruel world will pass away. It will be replaced by a reign of peace -- true shalom will prevail. Defaced beauty will be restored. Wounds will be healed. All sorrows will be lifted.
Around the globe, we're getting a foretaste of this. Christ is at the Father's right hand. Today the Lord of Lords and King of Kings offers His invincible power to His Church.
The Messiah has come. We have seen the signs of His work. The Kingdom is striking back.
-- Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu
This ebook is on missions work in Haiti. It shows how the words of Jesus about Kingdom signs speaks to what's happening in that Caribbean island nation. These six chapters plus a foreword and conclusion demonstrate that the Kingdom is indeed in our midst.
 | Jonah's story is not about obedience. It's about God's heart for all peoples. . . [ read more ] |