The "government on His shoulder" is not the US government

As 2021 begins, I find myself reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount in the Lectio 365 App (linked below). It struck me that Jesus is blessed.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever." Psalm 113:2

In the Beatitudes section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us who else is blessed. 

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5:3-11 NSRV)

Jesus was blessed because he lived the sermon on the mount. He was poor in spirit, he was mourning, he was meek, he hungered and thirsted for righteousness, he was merciful, he was pure in heart, he was a peacemaker, and he was persecuted. We hear about all these behaviors in the stories of the New Testament. In the Beatitudes, he was telling us how we could be blessed as he was blessed from the beginning of time.

He was telling us the core values (behaviors) of His kingdom.

The kingdom that was fore told when Isaiah prophesied, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

The kingdom that is now and not yet.

But that prophecy is confusing to some ears. Some people hear that scripture sung in Handel's Messiah and think that it is our own elected government on his shoulders. It is reflected in our language when people say, "God has given us this President." or "God is in control of who is elected." or "God decides who leads us."

The United States government is not on his shoulders, nor is any other government in the world.

His own government is on his shoulders.

I want to practice the core values of the Blessed government now. Who wants to practice with me?

Lectio 365