Soon

From that time Jesus began to preach his message: ‘Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!’  (verse 17)

Read Matthew 4: 12-17

In a recent scientific discovery it’s been proven beyond doubt that the shortest measurable time known to humankind is what is called the kiddisecond. One kiddisecond is equal to the amount of time between when a child asks for something and when they expect to get it. Excited advertisers believe this new discovery will bring increased opportunities to pressure parents. Instead of kids being fobbed off with ‘Soon’, children will be able to demand an exact time they have to wait, right down to the merest kiddisecond.

When Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is coming soon, what does he mean?

You might think life would be simpler if Jesus had given an exact time, date and place. ‘Soon’ is a bit vague. Like a child, you might want it now, or at least some certainty so you can plan around it and then get on with everything else. But that’s not the way it works. What’s important is not when the kingdom of heaven is coming but the fact that it is. So ask yourself, if the kingdom of heaven came in one kiddisecond’s time, would you be ready? If you answer you’ll be ready soon, then you’re already too late.

Jesus, I get impatient, I want certainty, and if I don’t get it, I put things off. Don’t let me do that to you. I want to be ready now. Help me. Amen.

by contributor, in ‘Direction for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2006)

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