Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven
Near the shore on the north end of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, Jesus stood on the side of a hill where He looked around and noticed a large crowd gathered around Him waiting for some good words from the popular new Rabbi. The embankment made its way to a beach where one could view the breadth of the entire sea. A few miles away, on the other end of the lake, was a river leading to another sea, which was far less inhabited. It was the Dead Sea and contained water far too salty to sustain much life. But this lake was teaming with activity, and today a speech would be delivered that still resonates 2,000 years later.
A short distance to the right, a small community stood in the gap of two mountains that formed a valley leading right down to the sea. It was there that high winds often shot off the desert floor from the other side of the mountains and funneled into the natural tunnel and then shot off into the sea, forming sometimes dangerous boating conditions.
Behind Jesus, off to His left, high on the mountain top was another village – a city on a hill to which He would later refer in His message. The village was impossible to hide when oil lamps and torches illuminated the night sky. Even further to the left lie the Golan Heights, where an entire herd of pigs would tumble to their deaths into the sea, and residents would beg Him in fear to leave their home.
A handful of fishing villages dotted the area, so it was not unusual for boats to be moored along the shore where fishermen mended nets and lit campfires for a quick meal. The Sea of Galilee was a bustling place of commerce and a common stop for those traveling from Jerusalem in the south to all points north.
Jesus decided it was time for a message that would address numerous everyday subjects, explaining what it means to follow God. The Sermon on the Mount is the Teacher’s most well-known message. It covers many subjects in language that the average listener could understand and quickly apply to everyday life.
One such subject Jesus thought was important to explain was prayer. Since prayer was already a big part of His listeners’ daily routines, the Teacher wanted them to understand the right attitude and key topics for approaching the Almighty. Jesus expounded about a faith where people naturally wanted to communicate with their God. These people did not adhere to the religion of the Romans, whose gods stood silent and as cold as the stone from which they were hewn.
The Model Prayer Jesus presented covered various aspects of Godly communication. He answered questions like, “Who is God and how does one relate to Him?” “Where is God?” “What does God want from His followers?” “What can I ask from God, and how does He want me to treat others?” “Will God help me deal with my dark side, or am I on my own?”
If you want to learn about communicating with the Almighty, there is no need to read volumes; the Model Prayer is a good place to start.
One of my favorite parts of the prayer goes like this.
“Our Father in heaven,
May your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.”
The idea is this: God is in a place called “heaven,” as well as everywhere else, where His name and being are completely “other” from anything else. The word “holy” means “set apart” from everything. In other words, there is only one being like God in all of heaven. He is “other.”
Jesus didn’t want anyone to confuse God with anyone or anything else. In other words, there is only one true God. No matter how complex, magnificent, deep, or broad something is, God is more intricate, amazing, profound, and universal. In fact, according to Jesus, He is the designer, creator, and sustainer of everything. God is truly unique.
If you don’t understand all the aspects of the God of the Universe, don’t worry. Nobody does, and that’s actually a good thing. If you did, He wouldn’t be God. He is completely holy.
But here’s the key point: according to Jesus, God personally reaches out to you. He wants to talk with you and discuss anything you’d like. Jesus explained this because you can speak directly to God, who is the greatest Father ever, and like any good Dad, He wants what’s best for you. If our Father didn’t want to talk to us, why would Jesus even mention it?
Jesus wanted people to understand that God is the King of a heavenly Kingdom, and ultimately His Kingdom would be established on earth. Jesus was the vessel through which God’s Kingdom manifested on earth.
In God’s Kingdom, perfection is the standard, but Jesus also lived a perfect life on earth. He was an ideal heavenly being living a fully human, flawless life. No one has ever achieved that before or since.
But the Father’s realm is also spiritual. Jesus taught that humans are not solely physical; they also have a spirit, just as God is spiritual. One of Jesus’ biographers revealed that God gave His Holy Spirit to Jesus without limit. God’s Spirit empowered the Son. People who identified with Jesus understood that there is more to a person than flesh and blood; humans possess a spirit, and to connect with God, one must allow their spirit to unite with His Spirit.
Ultimately, religious leaders didn’t know what to do with Jesus. They hated Him because He and His teachings threatened their position in society. So they had Him murdered by the Romans. They thought that would be the end of the matter. Not so much. In fact, the leaders had simply played into God’s hands and carried out His plan.
Jesus indeed died, but within a few days, God raised Him from the dead. Now, the two great enemies of mankind bowed before the Son of God. Neither death nor sin had any power over Jesus. The Spirit had triumphed. All channels of communication with God were now fully open.
This was truly good news for Jesus’ followers because it opened the door for God to also send His Spirit into each of them. With this, His will was done on earth as it is in heaven. As a follower of Jesus, you are filled with God’s Spirit. Whenever you enter a room, heaven comes with you.
Here's a fun thought: if you're filled with God’s Spirit, then wherever you go, heaven goes with you. Whenever you act in a way that reflects how God acts, you’re fulfilling your own prayer. You’ve brought heaven to earth.
A few days ago, I drove to Cape May, New Jersey, to attend the funeral of my son-in-law’s mother, who was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. It was a fairly long drive, but one I genuinely wanted to make.
I was greeted by my precious grandson, my daughter, and my son-in-law. There are no good words for those moments, but I learned long ago that presence, not words, are helpful. On the three-and-a-half-hour drive over, I thought many times about the folks who “showed up” when my wife passed.
As I approached the front of the receiving line, I locked eyes with my son-in-law’s father, who had just lost his wife of many years. Without speaking, we communicated because I understood his pain. There were no words that could ease it, only the deep spiritual understanding that we recognize our pain and care. He was also present when Gail passed. I will continue to pray for him often in the coming days—for comfort, understanding, perseverance, and love. He will need those blessings in plenty.
Heaven revealed itself for a moment. God’s will was done on earth as it is in heaven. A room was filled with people – with love. And love is what the Kingdom of God is all about.
I’ve always loved this part of what Jesus told us to do. Pray like this:
“May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.”
It helps to know that there is a realm where everything is right. This is a place where love, justice, mercy, and grace prevail. This place is called “heaven,” and it’s good to be part of bringing these qualities to earth.
It is comforting to know there is a Name unlike any other. We can always rely on that Person. He is not subject to elections or coups. He enjoys working with us throughout our earthly journey as we try to bring heaven to earth.
God’s will is being done all around us every day. Relish the fact that you are part of the solution. One act of love, mercy, justice, grace, bringing heaven to earth. Jesus later taught that one day there will be a new heaven and a new earth. But for now, we are ambassadors of heaven.
Meanwhile, let’s keep bringing a little heaven to earth every day. This is something every person can do. This is something you can do – today.
Tonight, when you lay your head on your pillow, take a moment to reflect, “I brought heaven to earth today. Not bad ________.” In some small way, through you, His will was done on earth as it is in heaven.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
