The Kingdom

The Kingdom

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?”

Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”

Luke 17:20-21

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33

The Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20

Fairy tales and stories often center on kings and their kingdoms. And what we know from these tales is that in a kingdom, the king is in charge. What he says goes.

Jesus talked a lot about his Kingdom—but the kind of Kingdom he spoke of is different from any other kingdom we’ve heard of. Jesus told people that the Kingdom of God “is already among you,” but he also talked about it as something that is coming in the future. It was confusing to people in his day, and it can be for us, too.

So which is it? Is the Kingdom of God something in the future that we are waiting for, or are we living in it now? The answer is yes. The Kingdom of God has come—but only partly. The fulfillment of the Kingdom came in part when Jesus entered our world and lived out God’s purposes for him. But the coming of his Kingdom will be complete only when Jesus returns and destroys evil and its deadly effects on this world for good.

The Kingdom of God is a reality in our lives to the extent that Jesus rules in our hearts. His Kingdom comes to us like a small seed that must be planted so it can blossom. It does not come like a military overthrow that takes power by force. His Kingdom is somewhat hidden now, but we can become a part of it by making him the King of our hearts and lives. And one day God’s Kingdom will not be hidden. Everyone will see Jesus as King and bow before him.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What stories can you think of that include kings and kingdoms?

In what ways is Jesus the same as other kings? In what ways is he different?

What can we do now to welcome God’s Kingdom in the world and in our hearts while we wait for it to be fully completed?