Day 149, 27th January: 1 Samuel, John and Psalms

Kingdom of God
Matt Summerfield

Today’s readings
1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
John 18:25-40
Psalm 68:15-20

King Saul was the first ever King of Israel. He stood, quite literally, head and shoulders above everybody else. But despite his stature and status, Saul had a major problem. He was deeply insecure, power hungry and filled with rage. He didn’t care for anyone but himself – and his leadership example pretty much set the tone for most of the Kings of Israel who would follow him.

But David was different. God had promised David that he would become the new King. Numerous times in the conflict between Saul and David, David has the opportunity to take Saul’s life – thereby immediately elevating himself to the position of King. But he refuses to kill Saul. He’s a far better man than that.

David doesn’t feel the need to elevate himself. He was secure in the fact that his identity was in God. He would become a servant King – the most loved King in the history of Israel.
Fast forward around 1,000 years and Pilate turns to Jesus and asks “Are you the King of the Jews?”. Jesus declares that His Kingdom is not of this world. He is the King of Kings. But Jesus Kingdom is characterized by love not power. He is the servant King, who came not to condemn the world but to save the world.

This Jesus invites us to play our part in his Kingdom. We’re not in this for status or stature. We’re not playing the world’s games of power and celebrity. As followers of Jesus, we’re committed to serving others – and what power we have we use to love people and do all we can to help them. We don’t put burdens on people but we bear their burdens (Psalm 68:19) just like Christ bears our burdens. This is the Kingdom of God.

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Today’s picture was taken by…
Sergi and Nuria at the “Sagrada Familia” in Barcelona. Thanks Sergi and Nuria!

If you’d like to take your own picture to potentially be featured on the blog, then get your Soul Survivor Bible in One Year, and take a picture of yourself – and your Bible – at some interesting or colourful location. Then email it to us at editor@soulsurvivor.com.

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