Most of us know this promise Jesus makes in his Sermon on the Mount: “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7) We are told if we but knock on God’s door, it will be opened. And we will be given what we need, find what we’re looking for, and be welcomed into God’s world, His kingdom.
We also recognize the line “Knock, knock!” as the start of a joke or riddle, whose next line is “Who’s there?” The answer that Jesus and his teachings give is “Jesus.” He is here–for you and me and all people. God and the Holy Spirit are here; everything is awaiting you.
Today I’m suggesting we knock at the door and ask for God’s help, for Jesus and the Spirit to help us. With what? I pray for help ending injustice, dismantling racism, and creating a new world of equity, peace, and justice. We want to belong to a kingdom where all are welcome and all work together for the good of all. Are you there? Are you with us?
Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain also speaks of this future: “For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:10) I say, Let’s all of us go ahead and knock! And, yes, let’s answer when somebody knocks.
Jesus also taught us the Golden Rule: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) Always in everything treat other people as you would like them to treat you. Clearly racism and injustice break this rule. Clearly Black lives matter; and we need true equity!
Jesus also said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Let’s try to really follow him, love as he loved, and stand up and speak out as he did.
What places of love do you know about? What places of justice can you point to? Who’s there? Are there others to work with and/or bring with us?
In our communities, in our countries, where does the path to justice lead? Where does defeating racism lead? Where do we see Jesus’ love unfolding? Who’s there? Let’s go there and bring others with us!
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
And the life of light is a life full of love, embracing all sisters, all brothers, and all people. As scripture teaches, “Whoever says, ‘I am in the light,’ while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9) Walk into God’s light, into God’s equity kingdom!
If we live in the light, we’ll find Jesus there too. If we let him in our lives, we will blessed beyond any measure and be an enormous blessing to others! “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking;” he tells us, “if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Revelation 3:20) He promises to abide with us If we just let him in!
Celebrate God’s kingdom and its “new commandment that is true in [Jesus] and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” (1 John 2:8) Let’s grab hold of this light and fight for what’s right! Let’s never give up the fight for justice and the fight against racism till we win victory!
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: “God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.” (1 John: 4:9) Let’s be always aware of that life-giving power that comes from Jesus. Let’s pray without ceasing for all we are fighting for, not losing sight of the kingdom we envision “…for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
And “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation,” a new being inhabiting the world. If we keep on fighting, keep up the struggle, one day we’ll be able to say: “Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) As people knock on the door of this new kingdom world, and hear the question asked, “Who’s there?” Let’s pray people hear, “We’re here! Jesus is here! God’s kingdom is here! Come, join us; enter!”
Equity Kingdom 