Thy Kingdom Come - Thursday, December 24 (Advent 2020)
Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
2 Kings 5:10
Jesus instructed his disciples to pray these words, “Thy kingdom come.” At our Drug Dependency Unit (addiction counseling), I often teach those who are struggling with various addictions to pray this prayer. I refer to it as the Spiritual Warrior's prayer - since we are in a daily battle with Satan for our very souls.
I teach that these three words have four teachings: Thy kingdom come - 1) to me, 2) to others, 3) to others through me and finally 4) quickly - I am ready to go, through faith in Jesus, my Lord and Savior!
I would like to focus on #3.
There once was a Jewish girl who had been taken captive from Israel. She had been removed from her family, her tribe, her land but not from her faith in her Creator. From the world’s perspective, she should have been bitter and filled with hatred. When the one responsible for her situation came down with leprosy, she could have turned her back on his need for healing. She might have thought, “serves you right!” Or she may have demanded reparations or bargained for her release.
This young girl, who served this warrior's wife, said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3). Through the words of this young girl, God's kingdom came to the man in need of healing - physical and, more importantly, spiritual healing.
Through the water of Holy Baptism, God's kingdom comes to others. By the grace of God, sometimes we are blessed to serve God by bringing His kingdom and grace to others!
Dear Creator God, thank you for calling us to serve You through inviting others into your Kingdom and for the blessed waters of Holy Baptism, through which we are assured of forgiveness and salvation, received graciously through faith in Jesus, our Savior. Amen.