Juanes, Cubans and Christ's Kingdom

What do Christians hope for in the Kingdom? How do we define the Kingdom? As I write this a Colombian artist named Juanes is singing Camisa Negra in the Revolution Plaza in Havana, Cuba. He grabs the microphone and says "We are all the same," as the crowd erupts.

His concert is called "Peace without Borders" and it's goal is to bring attention to the U.S. embargo policies against the people of Cuba and the need to change.

And in that light, I ask again, what do Christians hope for in Christ's Kingdom? How do we define the Kingdom?

Many people have an inadequate understanding of what is God's Kingdom. We don't hope for an eternity sitting in a church pew singing praises to God. Rather, I don't believe there are churches in Heaven. A church is nothing more than a sign post pointing it's followers in the direction of Christ. There's no need for a map when you've arrived at the destination. The church will become functionally obsolete.

But Christ said we should pray that God's "Kingdom come/Your will be done/on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10)

Jesus was speaking to a sea of humanity. The poor, disabled, and estranged people living on the fringes of society. They were the outcasts, not the privileged.

Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in spirit/for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:3). What does it mean to be "poor in spirit?" Am I?

We live in the wealthiest country in the history of the World. Can we be the Kingdom of God with worldly possessions? No.

And so, what is the Kingdom of God?

I believe it's total supplication to God's power, authority and acknowledging our dependence on him. We need to recognize our dependence on God. Salvation only comes through Jesus. We will be forgiven to the degree we forgive others. And so, forgiveness is a key factor in Salvation.

The sea of humanity Christ frequently taught were filled with people I wouldn't typically socialize with. What does that say about me? Too much, I'm afraid. I need to change and accept humanity and all of its infirmities and love them as Christ.

How can I expect God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven unless I love humanity as Christ? Maybe through love and forgiveness, a little bit of God's Kingdom can be seen on the earth. We'll see what happens. It's worth the struggle, or in Juanes' case singing to a multitude of Cubans.