18 Jul 2008
The word ‘kingdom’ brings to mind a multitude of ideas: Lord Farquard in the film Shrek seeking to find the perfect princess to share his kingdom, through to Ridley Scott’s portrayal of the medieval Crusader’s attempt to violently expand the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God often; from the very outset of his ministry his manifesto was, “The time has come”. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Clearly it was a key part of his message, but what did he mean when he uttered these words, and what do they mean for us today?
The term ‘kingdom of God’ would not have been new for those that first heard it. There was a long held expectation that God would raise up a messiah-king who would release God’s people Israel from the oppression of other nations (the Babylonians of Old Testament times or the Romans of Jesus’ day). This king would form a new state or kingdom which would overthrow Israel’s enemies using political means, and, if necessary, violence.
There must have been great excitement then, when Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was ‘near’. However, it was not this type of kingdom which had arrived; that would simply have represented one form of oppression replacing another.
Jesus understanding of kingdom was very different, but no less exciting! The word which he used for kingdom refers to the activity of a king rather than the geographical territory that he rules. In other words, he was not speaking of a geographical kingdom (e.g. like the United Kingdom) but rather the rule and reign of God.
Jesus was not concerned with forming a new political state but rather, enriching the quality of life that his people enjoyed, bringing a new and fresh reality of freedom and justice, enabling people to experience the presence of God in their lives. This was indeed, wonderfully, ‘good news’.
To enter the kingdom meant undergoing a radical change of lifestyle, that is, ‘repentance and belief’ (Mark 1:15): from living under one’s own rule to living under God’s rule; from going in one’s own direction, to going in God’s direction.
Whenever a person chose to allow God to rule their life rather than insisting upon ‘self-rule’, the kingdom of God had ‘arrived’, the inward rule of God was present. As more and more people chose to submit to God’s rule and reign, so the kingdom of God expanded.
The miracles which Jesus performed were all signs that the kingdom of God had arrived. They were also examples of other powers submitting to God’s rule and reign. For example, the healing of a man blind from birth (John 9:1-12) and the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44) were both signs of God’s rule and reign.
Jesus’ parables often described what the kingdom of God is like. For example, hidden but with potential for significant growth (mustard seed and yeast, Matthew 13:31-35) and of infinite value (hidden treasure and pearl, Matthew 13:44-46).
It was Jesus words and wonders concerning the kingdom of God that brought him into sharp confrontation with worldly kingdoms and led to his arrest. However, rather than overthrowing the kingdom of God as hoped, his death and resurrection indicated that not only had God’s kingdom arrived, but shouted with triumph that Jesus was the King of the kingdom.
Jesus life, death and resurrection marked the arrival of God’s kingdom. However, the completion of his kingdom will not take place until he returns (Revelation 21:1-4). We now live between the arrival and full completion of the kingdom. From when Jesus was on earth until he returns, we see signs of the kingdom breaking in, for example, people becoming Christians by submitting to his rule and reign, healings, miracles, forgiveness, hope, kindness, reconciliation. These things we currently see fleetingly, but will one day see in full. Until that day, people of the kingdom are called to expand his kingdom by speaking the words and performing the deeds modeled by the King of the Kingdom.
Key Bible Passages
- Matthew 6:9-13, 33
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Mark 1:15
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Luke 18:16
The Kingdom of God is not a geographical territory but rather the rule and reign of God in the lives of his people and the world.
Discussion Questions
- In what ways can you tell that a person is living in God's Kingdom?
- Are the Kingdom of God and the Church the same thing? Why, or why not?
- How is it possible to expand the Kingdom of God in contemporary culture?
This response was written by Andy Poultney and originally published on the Evangelical Alliance *essential website.
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