“A king who dies on the cross must be the king of a rather strange kingdom. Only those who understand the profound paradox of the cross can also understand the whole meaning of Jesus’ assertion: my kingdom is not of this world.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Is there a speech or sermon that you remember well? Perhaps at a wedding, or a graduation, something was said that stuck with you. Words that were shared may have held incredible conviction, inspiration or even correction. Perhaps even more so because they are delivered by someone we deem wise, intelligent or trustworthy. Now, imagine those listening to Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount and the mixture of all these emotions. In one of the most famous speeches ever given Jesus provides a particular clarity to a wide range of pressing topics. He doesn’t pull any punches and speaks with a depth of understanding and awareness that would have had the crowd eagerly (or anxiously) awaiting the next. He was speaking of a kingdom unlike any they had ever known.

“The experience can be compared with visiting famous old castles or cathedrals. Tourists may put in thirty minutes to walk through, just to get an impression, and that is what they get. But if one begins to study such buildings with the help of a good guidebook, visions of whole worlds open up... under closer examination things are bound to become more and more complicated, diverse, and intriguing, with no end in sight.” –Hans Dieter Betz

The closer one looks the more one becomes fascinated with the beauty through which Jesus addresses each topic. So we wish to give it a closer examination. To see into the crevices and alcoves of this kingdom that’s being presented. This Upside Down Kingdom, more than ancient and modern readers alike can truly embrace. It’s something better. Let’s explore it together.