For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11)
Right-side-up in the Kingdom of God is up-side-down in the kingdom of man.
In terms of sight, seeing in God’s Kingdom comes when we don’t care to be seen in man’s kingdom.
When our goal is to be seen in this life, we are blinded to the things of eternal life. When we die to caring if we are seen or not, we gain the ability to see with King-Jesus eyes…
This thing in all of us fallen humans that desires to be seen, recognized, applauded, honored, and exalted is in direct opposition to Kingdom life that seeks to exalt only the Lord, caring not if we are ever seen or recognized or honored…
The Lord went on to say, when you give lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sister, your relatives, or your rich neighbors because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:12-14).
WHO we see in God’s Kingdom is contrary to who we want to see in the kingdom of man.
Seeing in God’s Kingdom comes when earthly repayment does not. Seeing the unseen—the poor and maimed and lame and blind—comes with delayed payment but instant insight, allowing us to see even more clearly those who are usually unseen, and the unseen things of the only eternal Kingdom…!
Jesus’ words really confront my human sensibilities, calling me to turn up-side-down most everything I assume as normal in order to see through His eyes what is right…!
There is a cost to following Jesus. Following Him blinds us to our “normal” way of thinking and living and open’s our eyes to see a new and better order—the Kingdom of God!
In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:33).
To be “seen” here on earth requires an accumulation of possessions that are often seen as “blessings” and badges of honor. But to SEE Jesus and His Kingdom clearly, the “things” need to be seen for what they are—distractions that blind and bind us. In renouncing our possessions, God allows us to see what is of far greater value—souls… heaven… His Face…!
May this year of sight turn us RIGHT-side-up as we become blind to what binds, and sighted to what heals and frees and glorifies the One who sees perfectly!!!!