I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The first and the last Beatitudes offer the promise of the kingdom of heaven. This promise is not a reward for “doing” something, but is the “result” of a state. In other words, everyone who responds to the state of poverty experiences the kingdom of heaven. The concept of the kingdom is a focus on Jesus, the King. The heart of the word, even in the English translation, tells us this truth. The focus is not on size, population, or palaces; it is on the ruling of the King. The Kingdom is where Jesus rules (or supplies).
This is what is so unique about the kingdom of heaven. In other kingdoms, the kings rule from without. Jesus rules from within. Other kings are satisfied as we supply them; Jesus wants to supply us. Other kings desire that we defend them; Jesus wants to be our defense. Other kings want us to serve them; Jesus wants to serve through us. In our absolute poverty, helplessness, we have nothing to offer Him. He can be our total supply and source His life through us. The only blockade to this relationship is our own self-sourcing.
The Kingdom of Heaven is not a location; it is a relationship with Jesus. He is not the Kingdom by Himself; I cannot be the Kingdom on my own. When He fills me, we become the Kingdom. The Kingdom is not a “me” or “Him;” it is an “us!” My helplessness is filled with the resource of His great person; we become the Kingdom of Heaven. I am a Jesus pusher!!!