"Seek first His kingdom and all these things will be added to you." We've heard this passage before and our take on it has been to do God's work first and He will take care of the things that concern us. Yes, but there's a deeper meaning - a more powerful meaning - a perspective-altering meaning.
Gotta go back to go forward - stick with me here. In Luke 10, we read that Jesus had given power and authority to 72 disciples (this would be the second "mission" for the 12 disciples) to heal the sick, cast out devils and tell the people that the kingdom of God had come upon them. When they came back exhilarated, it says Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit (vs 21). The Greek word there is agalliao which means "to exult, leap for joy, show one's joy by leaping and skipping, denoting EXCESSIVE or ecstatic joy and delight."
Picture that - Christ jumping and leaping EXCESSIVELY when the disciples used the authority He gave them to triumph over the kingdom of darkness and show the world His kingdom. Think about it from a parent's perspective. When your child has been afraid of the dark and you've told them again and again that there is nothing to to be afraid of - still they're afraid. Then one day, they believe your report - they take you at your word - they overcome fear - they believe. How excited would you be? How thrilled would you be that they finally see what has been true ALL ALONG? You'd be ecstatic and you would know their quality of life just got better. The child finally understood the truth you've been trying to tell them.
It's the same way with us. God is excessively joyful when we believe Him. When we use the authority He gave us. When we stand in faith on the authority He gave us. When we enforce Christ's triumph over the kingdom of darkness - remember He leads us in His triumph over the kingdom of darkness (same Greek word in 2 Cor 2:14 and Col 2:15 only used in NT these 2 times).
So what does seeking His kingdom first have to do with any of this? EVERYTHING! Remember in Luke 10 Jesus was jumping for joy over the disciples using the authority He gave them...a few chapters later (apparently a matter of days) in Luke 12, Jesus is telling the disciples not to be concerned about what they will eat or wear, etc. He tells them is verse 31 to seek His kingdom and all these things will be added to them.
Here's the meat of it. The Greek word for kingdom is basileia which means "royal power, kingship, dominion, rule - not to be confused with an actual kingdom, but rather the RIGHT to rule over a kingdom - the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah." The other important word is seek which means "to seek in order to find out by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to inquire into, to crave, to demand something from someone."
Jesus Christ is saying to us to spend time understanding, meditating, pondering, exercising and USING the dominion - the rule - the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant (over the kingdom of darkness) Messiah. And when we do - He rejoices EXCESSIVELY!!! Imagine Him turning backflips when you tell sickness NO! Imagine Him spinning about when you tell bitterness NO! Imagine Him hopping up and down in glee when you recognize "the facts" as the plot of the enemy and stand in faith speaking, believing HIS WORD (the truth) instead of what your eyes see.
No - it's not easy - that's why it's called a FIGHT of faith. That's why Jesus said to Jairus in the face of fact, "Do not fear, only believe." Believe His Word that says,"Behold, I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions and physical and mental strength and ability over all the power that the enemy possesses and NOTHING shall in any way harm you." (Luke 10:19 AMP).
Jesus himself dances a jig when you and I get this - when we know it in our knower - when we exercise the authority over the kingdom of darkness and enforce His triumph over EVERY work of darkness. All I can see in my head right now is a dance off with Jesus and Michael Flately from Riverdance - ha!
The next verse (Luke 12:32) says,"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom."(same Greek word - basileia). Your Father is well pleased to give you that royal power, kingship, dominion, rule. When you seek it - He is happy to give it to you. Happy enough to dance a jig.
Guest blog by Arin Rentz.
