Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1 and Luke 13:31-35

For better or worse, people belong to nations: Lands with boundaries, distinct cultures and practices, and governance. With the current crisis in Ukraine impacting economies and peace around the world, our scriptures this Sunday are timely speaking to individuals, churches, and nations.

Paul tells the churches that our “citizenship is in heaven.” Other translations say “commonwealth” or “citizens of heaven.” And that we have a “Savior, from there, The Lord Jesus Christ.”

Luke 13 reminds us as well, that Jesus teacher from Nazareth, ministering and teaching under the reign of both Galilee’s Herod and Pilate, the occupying governor of Rome’s Province of Judea, has to deal with earthly authorities. Jesus is of Heaven but for our sake is a citizen of earth in a specific time and place!

Followers of Jesus are “citizens of heaven” but reside as members of certain nations while on earth. From this situation comes both joy and conflict, blessings and struggle.

Jesus even has a sly remark about Herod being a “fox.” And the critical Pharisees have warned Jesus that Herod was out to “get him.” Jesus takes this as another opportunity to teach about God’s Kingdom and goes to a prominent Pharisee’s house even though those “fellow citizens” usually opposed him!

Our uneasy task but missional priority is to live in the two worlds of Heaven and Earth. And we are never asked to do this without heavenly help! Just listen to Psalm 27: “wait, be strong, take heart. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Citizens of heaven, indeed!

Stay in prayer!

Pastor Barry †