Tags

, ,

See the source image

Breaking news! Jesus oversees God’s Kingdom. It is not what we think!

Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.

English Standard Version. (2016). (John 18:35–36). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

I’m looking out my window. I see lots of stuff. The yard, the house across the street, a tree in the front yard, our car …. Lots of stuff for sure. If I turn around, more stuff. Computers, books, clocks, desk and much more. More stuff.

We live in this world of things. Jesus wants me to know that His Kingdom is not about any of this. Now that is a wakeup call to me. Jesus, in the scriptures, really focuses on the this a lot. There are over 155 references to the Kingdom in the new testament so there is much to be said.

Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God. Jesus did that through his birth, life, death, burial, resurrection to an incorruptible body, and ascension to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God. As citizens of the Kingdom, we are doing his work here. Jesus established the new covenant (aka testament or agreement) with us. Jesus clears up any issues about the nature of the Kingdom as being spiritual not physical.

Jesus is clear about the Kingdom not being of this earthly realm but a spiritual reality. The Kingdom is real but cannot be seen here on earth. The Apostle Paul also makes this well-known. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

What does this mean to us? Jesus is the King (in charge) of the Kingdom of God. We must submit to his being in charge if we are a follower of Jesus. This is practical to me and I get to choose if I place Jesus in control of my life or not. Jesus teaches us to pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus is clear that Kingdom living is all about doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21). “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”

Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν

Master Jesus the Messiah, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner