The kingdom of Heaven is like a village that stays just above the poverty line by producing almost pure alcohol from sugar cane. With the proceeds the village people clothe and educate their children (at least a little) and put food on the table. As a part of a land locked country with on the worst of roads, trade is hard, and poverty is harsh and deep.
Their picture of Jesus says that what they do is shameful. The church communicates a judgement that will not accept them whilst they put food on the table. They must renounce their industry to take on Jesus.
The distillers love Jesus. They understand his love and his sacrifice and the beauty of salvation. But they find themselves at a cross roads that they choose dignity for their children over a hell on earth.
The kingdom of heaven doesn’t leave this whole village at that crossroads. Kingdom dwellers take the alcohol production and super charges it. Producing purer ethanol. Converting transport to run on the clear fluid filtered through back yard ponds. Creatively innovating, the community then creates new products from better ethanol. Creating a market that wasn’t there. What they produce then becomes needed – transport is available and trade becomes a reality.
Christ doesn’t merely save their souls for the world to come but creates heaven on earth.
If the kingdom of God leaves the people in Ugandan jungles at the cross roads, we damn them to both hells.
