Searching For The Kingdom

Searching For The Kingdom

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God isn’t ushered in with visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is among you.” –Luke 17:20-21

Jesus often used parables to teach about the mysteries of the Kingdom. He often began his parables with, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . .” But I sometimes get confused about what he really meant. Is the Kingdom of God a future reality to be hoped for or a present reality to be experienced now? The answer is yes. What is mysterious about the Kingdom is that it has come partly but not fully. Many of the blessings of God’s Kingdom are a reality we enjoy now, but many are not yet here. While the fulfillment of the Kingdom came in the person and work of Jesus, the consummation of the Kingdom will be when Jesus comes again.

We experience some of the Kingdom’s power now, but not all of it. Some of the curse and misery of this world can be overcome now by the presence of God’s Kingdom, but only some of it. While our King has fought and won the decisive battle against sin and Satan, sickness and death, the war is not over. We must still battle sin. We must still resist Satan. We must still pray and groan over sickness. And we must still face physical death. But the day is coming when the King will return, and his Kingdom will be a reality on earth. This makes us want to say, “Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

Understanding what Jesus meant when he talked about the Kingdom helps us with the disappointment we feel about living in a world where things are not yet as God promised they will be. It keeps us from insisting that God demonstrate now the dimensions of the Kingdom he has reserved for the future. It helps us celebrate the current fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. The King’s righteousness is now ours by faith, and his Spirit is living inside us. His holiness is being produced in us, and we experience his joy and peace in a world where sin, pain, and sorrow prevail. The Kingdom of God is a reality in your life to the extent to which Jesus reigns in your heart. His Kingdom comes to you like a mustard seed, not a military coup. Will you let him reign and rule in your life even as you wait for his Kingdom to be consummated?

Lord, make my heart your throne and rule in me. My passion is to seek first your Kingdom here and now as I anticipate the glory of your future Kingdom.

DIGGING DEEPER