The Upside-Down Kingdom

Jesus turns everything on its head.

We expected the Messiah to be born in a palace - not in a barn.
We expected His parents to be royalty - not poor.
We expected Him to associate with the religious-elite and the wealthy - not the riff raff, the sick, the sinners, or the outcast.
We expected Him to enter Jerusalem on a white stallion -  not on a donkey.
We expected the King to lead an army - not carry a cross.
We expected He would stay dead -  not be raised to life forevermore.

Kingdom of World Kingdom of God
(Power Over) Sword (Power Under) Cross
Allegiance to Caesar Allegiance to Jesus Christ
Flesh / Bondage Spirit / Freedom
Law                                                                      Love
Behavior Modification Inner Transformation
Tribal / National Universal
Conflict  / Chaos Peace / Reconciliation
Childish                                                                  Child-like

God exalts the humbled & humbles the exalted.
The foolishness of the cross shames the wisdom of the world.
The weak are made strong. The strong are made weak.
The last shall be first. The first shall be last.
Sinners are made righteous. The self-righteous are declared sinners.

Almost as crazy as asking us to become as a little child. You've got to be "kidding" in order to enter the Kingdom.