What type of kingdom do you imagine could develop if the castle above was more than a sandcastle?
The dog looks like a giant horse in this kingdom so maybe this is a kingdom for people of small stature?
Have you ever built a sandcastle kingdom?
How long did it take you to build your sandcastle kingdom?
Was your sandcastle kingdom as detailed or as large as the one above?
Why or why not?
What does a sandcastle kingdom have to do with Matthew 6:10?
ESV Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
This verse from Matthew is shared in the context of Jesus teaching his followers, or disciples, how to pray to the Lord.
Matthew 6:5-8 first describe how one should not pray.
Next Jesus shares with his disciples a sample prayer that starts with acknowledging not only the residence of the Lord, Our Father, but also the holiness of His name. (See Matthew 6:9)
Now in verse 10 we learn the Lord has a kingdom and that it is also in heaven.
We also learn that the will of Our Father, the Lord, is done in heaven.
As followers of Jesus, we are instructed to pray that Our Father, the Lord, whose will is obeyed in His heavenly kingdom, will also be done on earth.
If we take this petition seriously it means we are to desire the Lord’s kingdom and will to be done on earth.
Instead of an intricate sandcastle that is easily destroyed by wind, water, or perhaps a large dog digging into it, we are to desire a kingdom here on earth that is governed by our creator.
Not our kingdom.
Not our will.
The Lord’s kingdom.
The Lord’s will.
Think back to how long it might take to build the intricate sandcastle in the picture above.
The Lord could bring His kingdom to earth in an instant if He desired.
- Why does He instead, delay bringing it fully, and teach us through Jesus to pray for it to come instead?
Consider Hebrews 3:1-6: (italics in blue are mine)
ESV Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses– as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)
5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.
And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
Reflection Questions:
- What other “sandcastles” have you spent your resources on instead of serving Our Father?
- Could it be the Lord delays bringing His Kingdom fully to earth because He desires more of us to turn to Him in faith?
- Could it be the Lord delays because He is intricately carving the details of our life so that we will be faithful to Him?
- Are you faithful to pray for the Lord’s heavenly kingdom to come to earth?
- Are you faithful to pray that His will be done on earth?
- Are you living faithfully so that those around you are aware of Our Father’s kingdom?
- What practical ways can you serve Our Father, the Lord of Heaven in building His kingdom each day?
Postlude
I recall a castle I couldn’t wait to get when I was a child. The Fisher Price Castle. Technically, I was a bit old for Fisher Price toys at the time, but it was the only thing I asked my parents for at Christmas. Much to my delight, my parents made my wish come true.
My mother told me once that later that Christmas day my dad asked where I had gone.
I and my cousin had taken the castle to my bedroom to play with it and were fully engrossed in elaborating our imaginations with the dragon, the little people, the horse and carriage, the dungeon, arranging the furniture, and so on.
My prayer for you and myself today is that we will be even more engrossed in all the details of the Lord’s kingdom than I was in that Fisher Price Castle.
May our “sandcastles” dissolve so that Our Father’s Kingdom will come fully into our hearts as we live out our faith boldly.
Leave a comment on the blog to generate some group discussion.
Email me at barbaralynn@barbaralynnseibel.com if you have a private question.
I’d love to hear from you!
We will continue with Matthew 6:11 next time.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn