When Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the Israelites welcomed him shouting “Hosanna” (Save us). They were waiting for someone who could free them from Rome because they were oppressed under Roman control. Above all, they thought Jesus would be a king and would lead them to rule the world. They really longed to have a king who would have power over the whole world.
However, Jesus didn’t come to the world to free them from the Roman control. He came to the world to save his people from sin, curses and hell: things that can’t be solved with human power.
Today, many people misunderstand Jesus thinking their business will do very well and they will be rich and blessed if they believe in Jesus. But the Bible says that when you believe in Jesus, you will be forgiven and healed and make peace with God, and have eternal life and inherit the kingdom of God. There are not any words in the Bible that say that you will be rich when you believe in Jesus.
Jesus taught them how to pray. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:9-11)
The prayer that the Lord taught tells us that the Law of the Kingdom of God should be fulfilled on earth, just as the kingdom of God is established in the heaven. He told us first, “Give us today our daily bread after the kingdom of God has come upon you”
You can be rich whether you believe in Jesus or not. You can be rich when God blesses you and you can be rich when you do well in your business. You have to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness first. Those on whom the kingdom of God and his righteousness has come will be wealthy in order that they can spend their wealth for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #620
