Have you ever had multiple conversations about the same thing and managed to say it all the same way? If so, you rock! (For the rest of us non-rocking folks, we might even be considered normal.) While it may be expected that we alter our words for the context, we are sometimes surprised by the way our words are reported to others. They may have missed the key point or even added to what we’ve said – for clarity. This also happened with the words and prayers offered by Jesus. Consider today’s Holy Nougat, for example
“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. ] ’” Matthew 6:13 AMP
One of the joys of the Amplified version is that it helps to add clarity to parts of the Biblical texts, in relation to the original language and nuances of the times. The clarification is usually placed in square brackets. In this version of the Lord’s Prayer, a very familiar segment is bracketed. In cross-referencing with Luke’s rendition; those words are missing; and it is also absent from many ‘modern’ versions of the Bible.
For me, this is very significant. It suggests that one writer found this important enough to include, perhaps for the sake of the audience. Who was that original audience, we are not sure. We know that Matthew often used his recounting of Jesus’ actions to show how scripture was fulfilled. As we are the audience today, that added declaration may be important for how we understand our relationship with God.
In several sermons delivered, Jesus used comparisons for Heaven that brought the concept home to them. One of the first things He did was to use political language to help folks understand that Heaven was different from the earthly realm; Jesus spoke of Heaven as a an empire or a kingdom.
Thus Jesus would say, ‘the Kingdom of Heaven is like … ‘ and He knew folks would see the difference. The language of Kingdom was not new to the people. They were familiar with the Roman Empire, and that they had been a Kingdom once, back in the days of David, Hezekiah, Ahab and Ahaz. Plus, Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah was Prince over an eternal monarchy (see Isaiah 9:6-7).
In the intro of the prayer, Jesus is quoted as saying that our prayers should seek to usher in God’s reign NOW while we are still on earth. Already we can see the prophecy being fulfilled, because Jesus as the Son of God would this be prince in God’s kingdom. But if a prince dies, and he is the Only heir … it could be that the monarchy ends or another takes control of the kingdom.
A declaration such as ‘the kingdom is Yours, all power and all glory is Yours’ is a very political statement. With it we not only acknowledge our own status as children grafted into God’s family (it’s the remember?); BUT we are declaring ourselves to be sold out to God and God’s reign. Yes it means that we yield to God’s program even above that of school, work, or country!!!! Is that what we mean to say when we pray?
(Ouch; I’m not always a loyal subject or an obedient child)
Then, according to Matthew, we see Jesus saying that this Kingdom of Heaven is Eternal. That’s exactly what Isaiah prophesied! In chronicling history; we find kingdoms have risen and kingdoms have disappeared. Some were dynasties; some got overthrown by internal conflict; others through external wars; and others continue to flourish. Most have declined in power; but when we say ‘Yours is the Kingdom…forever’, we are declaring God as the Eternal and Ultimate Sovereign. Which is what Isaiah and others prophesied.
So, to declare … or not to declare … that is the question. Ultimately; it is a matter of our personal faith, whether we are just repeating words or not.
