Kingdom Entrance May 9, 2008
On several occasions, Jesus taught that the kingdom is something that has to be entered in order to be experienced and enjoyed. Of course, Jesus does not mean that the kingdom is a physical place with an entrance that we need to find. Rather, we are entering into the rule of God, becoming someone who recognizes his kingship in all things and the incumbent responsibilities of being his servant. (That being said, a physical place—the new heavens and new earth—is the ultimate goal of our kingdom entrance). But what are the entrance requirements of God’s kingdom, often called “the kingdom of heaven,” recorded in Matthew’s gospel?
First, Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that kingdom entrance requires radical righteousness. “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20). Since the Pharisees and teachers of the law were impeccable in their law-abiding righteousness, Jesus certainly is not talking about being more scrupulous in following laws and regulations, but speaking of another category of righteousness altogether. From his following five examples, we can deduce that Jesus is speaking of a righteousness that come from the heart on which the law is written (Mt 5:21-47). Not only that, but we realize that this radical righteousness is unreachable for us, if we are realistic, and we are left wondering how anyone can enter the kingdom of God! Later in Matthew, the disciples are recorded as having this very reaction, which we’ll address in a later point.
Second, in condemnation of false prophets and faith professors, Jesus teaches that kingdom entrance requires doing the will of the Father. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21). It is possible to profess faith in the King, yet not prove this profession by carrying out the demands of the king and by doing his will. We also see that doing the will of the Father presupposes being known by God (Mt 7:23), having a relationship with God initiated by him, a relationship that requires the joyful responsibility of doing God’s will.
Third, in contrast to the disciples’ questions about kingdom status, Jesus offered the surprising answer that kingdom entrance requires childlike trust. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3). Jesus is not contradicting his earlier teaching that entering the kingdom requires responsibilities and righteousness, but he is reinforcing the fact that this is based on a relationship of trust in the Father. Most likely, Jesus was praising both the uninhibited trust and obedience of children who delight in having a caring and gracious Father.
Fourth, Jesus used his interaction with the rich young ruler to teach his disciples a lesson regarding kingdom entrance: it requires ultimate and unfeigned allegiance to the king. “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mt 19:24). Why is it so hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom? Informed by Jesus’ teaching elsewhere about money (Mt 6:24), money is a kingdom hindrance not because it is evil, but because it tends to capture our allegiance and divide our attention. The disciples are astonished by this teaching, and cry out in despair, “Who then can be saved?” (Mt 19:25; this gives us a clue “salvation” and “kingdom entrance” are synonyms). But Jesus responds that “with God all things are possible,” pointing to the power of God to call and guide people into his kingdom.
The impossibility of entering the kingdom apart from the power of God sheds light on the last (but not least) requirement for kingdom entrance: repentance and faith in the Messiah. Jesus speaks harsh words to the chief priests and elders: “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of you…you did not repent and believe” (Mt 21:31-32). One might even say that the requirement for kingdom entrance is sin (tax collectors and prostitutes), sin for which one repents and turns to Jesus for forgiveness. When we recognize that we are sinners, and that we will obtain the radical righteousness the king requires only by repentance and faith in Jesus, then we are ready to enter the kingdom of God.
Even though the majority of the “entering the kingdom of God” teaching occur in Matthew, there are a few other in the NT.
John 3:5: “Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
Here we see that kingdom entrance requires Spirit birth and the symbol of baptism.
Acts 14:21-22: “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”
Here, kingdom entrance is obtained through hardships and sufferings. This passage, taken together with others, helps us understand that there is a sense in which we have entered the kingdom, are entering the kingdom, and will enter the kingdom. Kingdom entrance, just like salvation, is a thoroughly eschatological event.
Entrance requirements can be found in Psalm 24:3-10.
Great observation! Jesus most likely had many of the Psalms in mind when we taught about a righteousness that rises from the heart, not simply observing outward rules.