It seems that a significant portion of American Christianity, at least those who publish magazines and books, have discovered “the Kingdom.” Some have claimed that this is a “secret message” of Jesus. Others have built upon the work of Eldon Ladd and others to explore the nuances and implications of God’s kingdom. I think it is unfortunate that “kingdom” is the word and message that is being explored.

When I think of a kingdom I conjure up images of round tables, knights, princes, dukes and earls, a hierarchy of persons and of polity. When Jesus began his ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” I believe that most of those hearing him misunderstood what he was trying to communicate. As we try to understand the “kingdom” message today, I think we have some similar problems. Let’s face it, the metaphor of kingdom has some pretty elaborate baggage, especially for Americans who threw off the bonds of monarchy to gain their freedom.

The church is full of kingdoms within kingdoms and their requisite rulers.

Sometimes the ruler of the kingdom is the church board acting like an elected Congress, some times it is the founding senior pastor exercising his “leadership” gift. Words like covering and submission and authority are used. I think Jesus was trying to communicate something else entirely with his sound-bite message.

I think he was saying something like this: You are going to have to change the way you think about God! (Repent) He has shown up right here, right now so you can understand who He is and what life with Him is like! (the kingdom of heaven is near). I think Jesus knew that his listeners would not truly understand what he was saying! If they had he probably would have been killed immediately! He needed some time to show his followers the Father, to show them what God does when he walks among humanity, and to form authentic friendships with those who would expand his “light” in the world.

I believe that Jesus did not come to start a “religion.” I think he came to show us that religion is not necessary. He came to set us free from the realm of religion and welcome us into the realm of life in direct connection with God. He came to quiet our fears and to bring us peace. He came to show us that God was not interested in fealty but that he wanted friendship. He came to walk with us, and talk with us, to be “God with us.”

Unfortunately, humanity loves religion and appreciates a God that we can appease, manipulate and cajole. Even the atheists have a strong religious fervor and faith! Jesus came to slice through all of those man-size gods and to show us that we had it all wrong! “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father!” It’s easy to see how that might be a jaw-dropping, paradigm-shifting concept. Understanding the truth of Jesus’ message sets us free from the bondage of religious observance and ritual.

I am just beginning to get a glimpse of what this freedom might look like, and it just seems too good to be true.