The Kingdom That Remains
As many of you know, our nation is preparing to celebrate a significant milestone: the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Two hundred and fifty years is certainly a notable achievement and an important moment in our nation’s history.
When we think about 250 years, it sounds like a very long time. Yet history reminds us that even great nations and empires are temporary. The Roman Empire endured for centuries. The Ottoman Empire lasted more than 600 years. The Mayan civilization flourished on this continent for more than 1,500 years. Throughout human history, kingdoms have risen and fallen. Governments have changed. Borders have shifted. Flags have been raised and lowered.
Yet compared to eternity, even 250 years is only a moment.
Against that backdrop, the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 12, Verse 28 gives us a remarkable promise: “We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” Through all of history, through every rise and fall of nations, one kingdom remains—the Kingdom of God.
As Christians, this reality helps us keep our priorities in order.
We can be grateful for our nation. We can appreciate the freedoms we enjoy. We can honor the sacrifices of those who came before us. But as followers of Jesus Christ, we understand that our ultimate hope does not rest in any nation, political system, or earthly government. Our hope rests in Christ alone.
That is one of the reasons communion is so important.
Nations have their founding documents, heroes, and symbols. But Christians gather around a table, not a flag. The United States was born through a revolution. The church was born through a resurrection. Our nation has a constitution. The church has a covenant. Christians remember and celebrate not a military victory, but a crucifixion. Christians don’t honor the achievements and triumphs of a superpower, but the humility and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And perhaps most importantly, around this table we discover a unity that transcends every earthly division. Jesus has united people across race, class, nationality, language, culture, and political identity. Around this table, there are no categories that we use to divide people into. There are only sinners saved by grace, brothers and sisters redeemed by the blood of Christ.
So as America prepares to celebrate 250 years, we can rightly give thanks for our country and for the blessings we have received. But today we come to a table that is far older than our nation and will endure long after every earthly kingdom has passed away. As we take this bread and this cup, we proclaim that our deepest loyalty, our greatest hope, and our eternal citizenship belong to the Kingdom of God.
As we eat this bread and drink this cup, let us remember not only what Christ has done for us, but whose kingdom we truly belong to.
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