The Kingdom of God is at hand

Ghanaians know it. Asantes understand and appreciate it. That is, if a great kingdom or nation is going to be established, one of the best ways is to make it happen in a grand and festive fashion that leaves indelible memories.

Ancient history tells us that the founding of the Asante Kingdom around 1701 was marked by great fanfare and pageantry in the assembly of the chiefs, elders, important dignitaries, and the people of Asante Kingdom. It left no doubt on the minds of those present that something extraordinary had occurred. Before their own eyes, the Golden Stool, the symbol of the soul, unity, and power of Asantes, descended from the sky and landed comfortably on the lap of Asantehene Nana Osei Tutu I, and marked the beginning of the Asante Kingdom as we know it.

Similarly, when Ghana became an independent, sovereign nation free from colonial domination, the celebration of the event on 6th March 1957 in Accra was marked by a Declaration of Independence amidst great fanfare, excitement, and jubilation in the assembly of Ghanaians high and low and dignitaries from U.S., U.K, and several African and other countries. The event left no doubt on the minds of Ghanaians that a new nation had been born.

However, there was no fanfare or pageantry when the greatest kingdom – the kingdom of God – was established by God heralded by the birth of His son Jesus Christ. Perhaps, the greatest event of all time occurred over two thousand years ago when God chose to live among human beings in the person of His son Jesus Christ, and made all mankind potential citizens of His kingdom.

On the day Christ was born, the people of Bethlehem in Judea had something else on their minds. They were more concerned about registering for census in compliance with the decree issued by Caesar Augustus, Emperor of Rome, that all persons within the Roman Empire be counted in their hometowns. Israel and Judea were under Roman domination and Mary and Joseph had gone to Bethlehem to register, and Christ was born there (Luke 2:1-7).

The people had no idea that they were going to count among them in that census the long-expected Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and the person upon whose shoulders the Prophet Isaiah prophesized that the government would rest, and that he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:1-7).

Had they known in advance about what was to happen that day and the significance of it, a large number of people, including, Caesar Augustus, King Herod, priests, high priests, chief priests, Sadducees, Pharisees, scribes, and all the dignitaries in Israel and Judea would have probably gathered in Bethlehem to witness it. Some of them would have gathered out of curiosity, others to welcome and worship him, and others with evil intent to harm him.

Interestingly, if the arrival of Christ on earth as a baby were ordained, planned, and organized by Ghanaians, particularly Asantes, we would have handled it differently - in grand style. We would have gathered the equivalent of all the above-mentioned personalities in a colorful durbar; seat Mary and Joseph at the high table among the chiefs, elders, and dignitaries; beat drums, sing, and dance; have Baby Jesus descend majestically from the sky with a sword in his right hand held high to symbolize his authority; and land him bouncing safely on the laps of Mary and Joseph. And the celebration would have continued for a longtime.

Fortunately, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). God knows best and He chose to extend His kingdom to the earth by bringing His son Jesus Christ in a way that confounded and still confounds the wise. Of course, while no visible mass jubilation took place on earth when Jesus was born, the angels rejoiced in heaven. One of the angels told some shepherds about the good news and the shepherds hurried to the place, found the baby lying in a manger, and rejoiced and spread the news (Luke 2:1-20).

When Jesus started his ministry, he was asked several questions by the Pharisees. In response to a question by the Pharisees about when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus said, “the kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21 NIV).

The kingdom of God is decidedly different from all other kingdoms, both in its beginning and existence. The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom. It has no physical boundaries. All are invited to become citizens of the kingdom. No one who genuinely seeks to become a citizen of the kingdom is rejected. What you need to do is to renounce your earthly citizenship, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, confess and repent of your sins, and follow the teachings of the kingdom outlined in the Bible, which were ordained by the Almighty God who rules the world through the Holy Spirit.

As we celebrate Christmas and New Year, let us remember that the kingdom of God is at hand. It is not about elaborate fanfare or “careful observation.” It is not far away, either. “The kingdom of God is within you.” It is within your reach. It is among you and in your midst in the person of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is up to you to make your move and reach out to him wherever you find yourself. It is up to all of us to invite Jesus to rein in our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls wherever we are.

One hymnist summed it up in the first stanza of Jesus shall rein where’er the sun: Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Doth his successive journeys run; His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Prayer is the key. May God grant us the grace to seek Him daily through our prayers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Dr. Daniel Gyebi, Attorney-at-Law, Texas, U.S.A., and Founder, PrayerHouse Ministry, Kumasi, Ghana.

PrayerHouse Ministry is dedicated to providing a quiet facility for Christians to pray individually by themselves without any intermediary priest, pastor or any other person. This is a free service. No money is demanded or accepted. One facility is located at Kyerekrom / Fumesua, near Building and Road Research Institute Offices, one mile off the Kumasi-Accra Road and next to a house called Grace Castle. If you are interested, please contact Agnes at 027-7423815. Another is located at Kantinkyiren, at the junction of Kantinkyiren and Konkori, off the Kumasi-Obuasi Road, branching left at Trede junction. Contact Kwadwo at 020-8768461 / 0246-989413.