by J. Stafford

Created on: August 07, 2009   Last Updated: August 09, 2009

Matthew 16:24-28

For many, the last phrase in this gospel reading is very puzzling.

Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.

What? You mean that Jesus is saying he will return in the glory of his Kingdom before some of those who were living in first century Palestine were to die? How can this be?

What about those Left Behind series? What about waiting for the Kingdom of God to come to the Earth? What about being alone in a world of sin until Jesus comes back to do some serious damage to the kingdom of darkness and all those legions of demons?

What about the rapture and everyone going to Jerusalem and getting big appointments in the earthly Kingdom of God, if you have been one of the faithful, of course.

It is only logical that if Jesus said some of the people who were listening to his words that day would see him coming in his Kingdom, two thousand or so years ago, then we must have missed it. We must have missed the coming of the Kingdom of God. And Jesus too!

The key to unlocking the door of confusion is in the words Jesus was saying before he laid this statement on them.

He talks about taking up crosses. Deny oneself. Losing and forfeiting life. Pretty serious topics of discussion, no doubt.

But he also preaches about coming after him, finding life and repaying according to conduct.

And he preaches about his Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is found in following the maxims Jesus gave those people listening to him that day. The Kingdom of God is within each of them, and us too!

Not too many years ago, I returned to the United States after living in Europe for a while. I had studied and learned and had gotten some education. I felt that I had the world by the tail. I just couldn't believe that so many people were so ignorant. I didn't meet very many people who I felt were as smart as I was. I knew things. I knew a lot of things.

Or so I thought.

I began pastoring a small parish in a large city. It was an impoverished parish, to say the least. The collection each Sunday barely paid the utilities, so the priest could forget about any stipend. IT just wasn't possible.

So this smart, educated priest had to get a job. I applied for some pretty good positions that would allow me to utilize all that information I had on board; teaching positions, consulting and spiritual directing.

I kept applying, but none of those very intelligent people seemed to think I was all that

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