The Kingdom of Heaven is near.

5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' (Matthew 10:5-7)

In this Scripture passage we see Jesus sending out the twelve to "go to the lost sheep of Israel". He tells them to preach the message that the "kingdom of heaven is near". He did not tell them to preach that if you are good, you will go to heaven. He says that the kingdom of heaven is near. In other Gospels he is seen to say "the kingdom of God is at hand".
What does all that mean?
It means that we live in God's real estate right now. We do not have to die to be with God; we do not have to die to experience God's love; we do not have to die to live in "the kingdom". We are already in the kingdom of God. We just do not know how to live in the kingdom. Kingdom living means loving as God loves. Kingdom living means having compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and caring for everyone.
In his ministry to us, Jesus laid out a way of life, a way of living in the kingdom. He did not come to set up a new religion. He did not bring architectural plans for great cathedrals. He did not bring a new set of rules and regulations. He did not limit his love to only a select few. He came to free us from the prisons we have created for ourselves. He came to demonstrate the true meaning of God's love. He came to show us how to love and care for one another.
The church is us. The foundation is Jesus. The kingdom is at hand because Jesus is always with us.

Peace and love,

Sue

"Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". (Luke 9:23)