What is it about a people without a king that robs them of their moral understanding? Why do people without a ruler become driven to and fro from standard to standard by their own whims? “Without vision, the people perish”, the Bible clues in Proverbs. That same verse is translated “Where there is no widespread revelation, the people cast off restraint.”

I want to continue this blog series this week with these questions, and with my typical “I’m thinking into the keyboard so follow me along” style. As I continue to get thoughts, I will flesh them out, and feel free to add your own in the comments below.

People cast off moral restraint, lose their senses, and fall into major sin when there is no king and no widespread revelation of what is true, just, and right. These may seem like two entirely separate things, but in reality, the greatest revelation we can have is that of the King and His kingdom. Neither can be separated from the other, they are intricately woven together. The Kingdom is what Jesus first preached, and died speaking of. And yet talk of Jesus as King is sparse, as we mostly speak of Him as Savior, which He is. But widespread revelation of the King and His kingdom will surely inaugurate the blessings of vision, restraint, and justice.

That revelation is the goal, for then and only then can we be “Right in God’s Own Eyes”. We want to see as He sees, not be deluded with our own misguided notions, as the people of Israel were without a King. The more we recognize Jesus as King and learn of His kingdom ways, the more wisdom we will understand, and then be able to walk in. Even our sense of justice will be greater, as is demonstrated by the remarkable wisdom of the dying thief on the cross. Consider!

After the man on one side of Jesus remarks, ”Are you not the Christ, save yourself!”, the thief on the other side rebukes Him (Luke 23:40-42) saying “Don’t you fear God even as you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” And then, in faith and revelation of one of the main purposes of Jesus death he turns to Jesus and says “Jesus, remember me when you come into your KINGDOM.”

Amazing! An amazing clarity about justice (we deserve our punishment but Jesus does not) and an amazing clarity about eternity! And as we all know, Jesus rewards His faith by saying “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.” What blessed peace fell on this crucified thief as He heard those words of Life coming out of the Bread from Heaven! All else faded away, all pain seemed small, all joy illuminated as He was guaranteed not only forgiveness, cleansing, but honor and glory to be with the King in Paradise that very day.

Why? He asked Jesus to rememeber Him in His kingdom. Notice he didn’t say “Lord, forgive me of my sins”, for he realized that the Kingdom of God was open to the humble and broken, ready to receive those who looked to the nature of the King for not only their rescue from sin, but for their purpose in existence, to fellowship with the King. And this thief who stole was given freely the greatest gift, eternal life.

In the next few posts I want to illustrate how a vision of the King and His kingdom removes our man-centered thinking to a God-centered reality.