Review: 03/01/08 Kingdom of God Series: "My Kingdom is Not of this World"

While on Earth, Jesus spoke of the "Kingdom of God" more than any other subject.

Read:
Matthew 3:12-17
Luke 17:20

Jesus grew up in a Jewish society that was awaiting the coming of a Messiah to bring forth a physical Kingdom. The Jewish people had been ruled by numerous nations since 600 BC when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel. Leading up to the time of Jesus and the nation anxiously awaited for their eventual freedom from Roman rule and the establishment of a peaceful kingdom on the Earth. Most were looking for a physical kingdom.

Read:
Matthew 20:20
Matthew 16:21-22
Luke 22:47-49

The ministry of Jesus was marked by displays of miracles, authoritative words, and the proclamation of the coming Kingdom of God. Though many revolutionaries had came before Jesus, his ministry was marked by authority. There was an expectation, even by the disciples of Jesus, that he was ultimately going to set up a physical kingdom on the Earth.

This is analogous to the movie "The Chronicles of Narnia." The children enter into Narnia, a frozen land where it is always winter but never Christmas. Then, they hear of the coming of Aslan, the Messiah figure, who was rumored to be back in Narnia. This is evidenced by the icy kingdom of the White Witch beginning to melt as spring finally begins to approach. Many thought that Aslan would instantly kill the White Witch and establish His Kingdom.

As Jesus moved throughout the towns and cities displaying miracles, many Jews saw this as a sign of the coming spring when the nation of Israel would be free.

Read:
Matthew 21:1-11
Matthew 21:12

Jesus enters Jerusalem with people welcoming him with palm branches and calling Him Hosanna. They anticipated him to enter the nations capital with power.

Jesus is then arrested by the Romans. The people realize that Jesus did not bring the kind of kingdom they wanted. He did not come to conquer their oppressors. As this realization sets in, their affection for this "King" and "Messiah" wains and many support his crucifixion.

Read: John 18:33-37
Jesus tells Pilate that He is a King but His Kingdom is not of this world. Jesus is eventually nailed to a cross and killed. He then arises three days later.

Question: Did the Kingdom of God come?

A. Yes: Jesus has come to begin the process of redeeming all that is screwed up in the world. He invites us to participate in this process through missional living by sharing the Gospel, ministering to the poor, and redeeming our culture. Believing in Jesus allows us the enter this Kingdom as children of God and allowing Him to be the Ruler of our lives. Being part of this gives us identity and purpose in our lives.

B. Not Yet: One day, Jesus will come back and establish a physical Kingdom where death and darkness will be completely swept away. Christians eagerly await this day.

Much like Jesus, living for the Kingdom of God requires sacrifice and will not always be easy. We are forced to give up the idea of having our own little Kingdom to be fully part of his much larger, more permanent Kingdom. God helps us do this as he works in us to continually establish His Kingdom on the Earth.