I made my first trip to the Magic Kingdom, Disney World, when I was about 8 years old. I still have vivid memories of that trip with my dad and sister. I wouldn’t say it changed my life, but it definitely shaped how I view experiential entertainment. For those few days, I was literally in another world.
Magic Kingdoms through History
It is natural to want a magic kingdom that transports us to a different world. This desire is nothing new.
Israel had a loose collection of tribes, but they wanted a king to unify them into a strong kingdom. They got the magic kingdom of power, wealth and influence, but it lasted just a few generations. Thousands of years later, the followers of Jesus longed the same thing.
Ancient Israel was focused on a magic kingdom, and they missed the power of God. The disciples longed for this same kingdom, and they too nearly missed the power of God.
A Truly Magic Kingdom
Throughout his ministry, Jesus made it clear overthrowing the government wasn’t his goal. He wanted to establish a much different type of kingdom. His kingdom was actually magical. It does transport us to a different world, but his message didn’t fully get through. After Jesus suffered, died, rose again and appeared to his disciples, they still were asking about their magic kingdom:
“So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” -Acts 1:6 NLT
Notice it wasn’t just one question, they KEPT asking Jesus about taking down the Roman Empire. It was as if they thought, “That resurrection trick was pretty cool, but Jesus, when are you going to get around to doing the big stuff?”
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” -Acts 1:7-8 NLT
Seek The Holy Spirit’s Power
We still seek magic kingdoms instead of the power of God.
Kingdom and the power of God aren’t the same. Kingdom is about me. The power from the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. The Holy Spirit’s power isn’t to grow our kingdom. Or to put it in today’s vernacular, the Power of the Holy Spirit isn’t to advance our politics.
What do you seek?
I challenge you to put aside your desire for an unreal, magical kingdom, and turn your focus on Jesus and long to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
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