#1223. What is the Kingdom of God? (3/2/35)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series.

At present, I'm only posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

From Luke 17:20-21, let’s reflect on what the Kingdom of God is and the importance of a true vision of the King.

You can listen to this devotional below (It’s also available on Spotify on the Community Church Putney podcast)

https://youtu.be/UUHGZlTzMqY

‘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, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”’ (Luke 17:20-21)

Luke 17:20–21

When will the Kingdom come?

Luke records the Pharisees as asking Jesus his opinion on ‘when the kingdom of God would come’? I don’t think that this is a question that’s on the minds of many of the people that we meet each day; people around us have many concerns, but not when the Kingdom of God will come! The Pharisees, and the Jews of Jesus’ day, were waiting for God’s Kingdom. They were waiting for God to break in with power and victory so as to restore them over the land of Israel and destroy their oppressive over-lords. For them, The Kingdom of God, was the land of Israel with God ruling His people in The Land. In effect they were asking Jesus, “Do you think that it’s the time when God will restore Israel in the Land?”

What is The Kingdom of God?

Today, we simply want to clarify the nature of God’s Kingdom. To put it very simply, The Kingdom of God is God’s rule. Whenever people come under God’s rule by becoming Christians, they enter the kingdom of God. The biblical concept of ‘Kingdom’ (basileia, occurring over 160 times in the NT) might be better translated ‘kingship’ - it’s God’s reign; it’s His authority, power and right to reign.

God’s Kingdom is not in any specific place or building. It’s not the acts of the church. It’s not Christians being ‘salt and light’ and fighting against evil and oppression. These are effects of The Kingdom rather than what it actually is. George Eldon Ladd, in his book, Gospel of the Kingdom, defines it,

‘The primary meaning of both the Hebrew word malkuth in the Old Testament and of the Greek word basileia in the New Testament is the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king…First of all, a kingdom is the authority to rule, the sovereignty of the king.

Who is the king?

So, today, let’s see again the nature of our King. All of the possibilities that any Christian or church can hope for rests on who our king is. What is the extent of His ability and right to reign? The prophet Daniel said it so well when he wrote:  ‘At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes towards heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honoured and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?”’ (Daniel 4:34-35)

Daniel 4:34–35

The Holy Spirit wants us to have a big vision of our King. He wants us to us to know that our King is both loving and Almighty. He’s the lion and the lamb! He is meekness and majesty. He is with us and understands us whilst being separate and infinitely beyond us. Those who know their King will be comforted by His love and courageous because of His power.

Let’s pray together as we finish

“Holy Spirit, give me a fresh revelation of Jesus. May I see what it means for Him to be the King. May I rest in His power and love. May I respond obediently to His authority. Let your Kingdom come in my life. Amen.”