God’s Kingdom

God’s Kingdom is both the rule of God and the place where God is ruling. God’s Kingdom is everywhere that God is completely in charge. Obviously, this involves heaven where everyone worships and serves God, but Jesus made it clear that he was bringing God’s Kingdom into the world. He showed this partly by the power of his miracles and the authority of his teaching. In Jesus’ ministry, the Kingdom of God was on the move, invading the world. The Jews were expecting this new Kingdom of God through their promised Messiah, but they thought that it would be characterised by the resurgence and prominence of the Jewish nation. Jesus had a different view of the Kingdom, as you will find in this Scripture.

Christians wonder about the nature of God’s Kingdom. If God’s Kingdom is now among us, what should this look like for us? In what ways should we see God’s power and authority in and through our lives? Is victory guaranteed if we are living in God’s Kingdom?

Explore: Luke 17:20-25 (NIV)

LK 17:20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Journal

1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?

2. What would I like to discuss/explore further?

3. What do I need to do?

4. In what ways is the Kingdom of God both present already and yet still to come?

Reflect

The Pharisees were looking for a Kingdom in which God’s rule would be obvious through Israel’s political ascension, but Jesus explained that His Kingdom was already here and was growing from the inside out. However, you could only see it if you looked in the right places. God’s Kingdom would grow through the lives and ministry of Jesus and his followers, as more and more people submitted to the rule of God. And that is what has happened. God’s Kingdom has grown one life at a time. Not through political power or physical dominance but by the power of the Gospel.

But that’s not the way it’s always going to be. There is coming a day when Jesus will light up the sky (17:24) and everyone will bow to His authority. God’s power and rule will be absolute. It will cover every worldly authority. The complete Kingdom of God is coming, but no matter how much we long for this day, it hasn’t happened yet. When God’s kingdom finally comes, it will be obvious to everyone (17:24).

So we live in a tension. On the one hand, God’s Kingdom has come to this earth and we are living in it as followers of Jesus. We have God’s power and authority available to us. Being part of God’s Kingdom means that we can hear God’s voice, we can know God’s blessing, we can speak with authority, we can be part of God’s miracles, and we can know great victories. We can enjoy “life to the full” (John 10:10). Jesus even promised that his followers would do greater things than he was doing (John 14:12). We are not just participants but are bearers of God’s kingdom on earth. God’s rule is on the move through us.

On the other hand, the fullness of God’s Kingdom is yet to come. We still live in a broken world where sin is rampant, and Satan is powerful. This means that we still struggle with temptation, that we face disappointments and battles, that things go wrong, and that we suffer significantly. We look forward to the Day when it won’t be like that for Jesus’ Kingdom people and His creation, but in the meantime, we accept our present struggle.

It’s important to maintain this tension between God’s Kingdom now and God’s Kingdom not yet. If we only focus on God’s Kingdom NOW, we expect blessings and release and miracles that God does not promise. If we only focus on God’s Kingdom NOT YET, we downplay God’s presence and power at work in and through our lives. Both these understandings of God’s Kingdom are important.

Pray

Lord Jesus, I join Your prayer for the coming of Your Kingdom: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9-10 NIV). Rule in my life today. May I enjoy the blessings and victory of being part of Your Kingdom. May I trust You in the suffering involved in living in a broken world where lots happens that is hurtful to You and me. May I live in constant hope of Your future Kingdom.

Respond

Check whether you are living well in this tension of God’s Kingdom NOW and NOT YET.

1. Are you believing for God to work powerfully in and through your life? Are you seeing God at work in miraculous ways? Reflect on Jesus’ power present in your life. God’s Kingdom is here.

2. Are you trusting God in the pain of living in a broken world, including seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointing outcomes? Reflect on Jesus’ love for you and look forward to the complete coming of God’s Kingdom.

Written by John Sweetman