Day Two – Reign: Living the Kingdom Now
New Testament: Luke 11:2
Old Testament: Exodus 20:8–11
“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”
We often treat this as a prayer for the future. But Jesus wasn’t just pointing toward the end of time — He was announcing a new reality that had already begun.
This is what N.T. Wright calls the “launching of God’s rescue project” — the fulfillment of Israel’s story and the arrival of the kingdom on earth, in and through Jesus Himself.
“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
(Mark 1:15)
Jesus wasn’t offering a ticket to heaven.
He was bringing heaven to earth.
When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we’re not asking God to begin something.
This is an acknowledgment that the kingdom is already present because of Jesus' sacrifice.
We’re asking Him to continue what He’s already started — and to let us be part of it.
We’re praying: “Let Your reign shape my reality.
Let my life reflect the world You’re restoring.”
And that’s where Sabbath comes in.
The fourth commandment — “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” — isn’t just about taking a break.
It’s a kingdom rhythm.
In Exodus, God gives this command to a newly freed people — former slaves who knew only labor and survival.
What does Paul say over and over – “We were slaves to our old selves!” Like those that fled Egypt until they were delivered from that life.
We are now being invited into something different: A life of freedom, trust, and reflection.
And at the center of that life?
A weekly rhythm that echoes God’s rest in creation — and points forward to the rest He’s bringing through redemption.
The Sabbath is a signpost.
And now through Jesus — the true image of God — that kingdom has come in fullness.
We are invited not just to obey the Sabbath, but to embody it.
To live in a way that reflects the restoring, renewing, reigning presence of God.
If we are to reclaim ourselves as children in the image of the most Holy then we need to get into the same rhythm as the father!
The kingdom is here.
So stop living like it hasn’t come yet.
Rest isn’t weakness. It’s participation.
It’s how we practice resurrection. Read that again!
Modern Reflection
Let’s face it — we often live like the kingdom is still on backorder. - A future event!
We strive. We stress. We act like it’s all on us.
But Jesus says, “It is finished.”
The kingdom is already here — and Sabbath invites us to live like that’s true.
Yes – we look for the day when Jesus returns and brings Heaven to Earth as a new, and a new Kingdom is built – and we participate – but the commandment reminds us it is already present – act like it!
For now, it is on Earth AS it is in Heaven. So when you rest, you’re not just recharging. You’re reflecting God’s reign.
You are trying to be an image bearer!
Reflection
How do we do that? First we have to recognize the kingdom as here – and not something after we die and float around on white puffy clouds.
We have to learn to live in the rhythm of the creator – as led by the Holy Spirit.
Ask yourself this - what would it look like to live my week as a citizen of heaven on earth? Then do it - you already are!
Prayer
King Jesus,
Your kingdom has come — and I want to live like it.
Teach me to rest, not just from exhaustion, but in faithful trust.
Let my time reflect the truth that You reign now.
Let my rest declare that I belong to You.
Your kingdom come — not just around me, but in me.
Amen.
New Testament: Luke 11:2
Old Testament: Exodus 20:8–11
“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”
We often treat this as a prayer for the future. But Jesus wasn’t just pointing toward the end of time — He was announcing a new reality that had already begun.
This is what N.T. Wright calls the “launching of God’s rescue project” — the fulfillment of Israel’s story and the arrival of the kingdom on earth, in and through Jesus Himself.
“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
(Mark 1:15)
Jesus wasn’t offering a ticket to heaven.
He was bringing heaven to earth.
When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we’re not asking God to begin something.
This is an acknowledgment that the kingdom is already present because of Jesus' sacrifice.
We’re asking Him to continue what He’s already started — and to let us be part of it.
We’re praying: “Let Your reign shape my reality.
Let my life reflect the world You’re restoring.”
And that’s where Sabbath comes in.
The fourth commandment — “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” — isn’t just about taking a break.
It’s a kingdom rhythm.
In Exodus, God gives this command to a newly freed people — former slaves who knew only labor and survival.
What does Paul say over and over – “We were slaves to our old selves!” Like those that fled Egypt until they were delivered from that life.
We are now being invited into something different: A life of freedom, trust, and reflection.
And at the center of that life?
A weekly rhythm that echoes God’s rest in creation — and points forward to the rest He’s bringing through redemption.
The Sabbath is a signpost.
And now through Jesus — the true image of God — that kingdom has come in fullness.
We are invited not just to obey the Sabbath, but to embody it.
To live in a way that reflects the restoring, renewing, reigning presence of God.
If we are to reclaim ourselves as children in the image of the most Holy then we need to get into the same rhythm as the father!
The kingdom is here.
So stop living like it hasn’t come yet.
Rest isn’t weakness. It’s participation.
It’s how we practice resurrection. Read that again!
Modern Reflection
Let’s face it — we often live like the kingdom is still on backorder. - A future event!
We strive. We stress. We act like it’s all on us.
But Jesus says, “It is finished.”
The kingdom is already here — and Sabbath invites us to live like that’s true.
Yes – we look for the day when Jesus returns and brings Heaven to Earth as a new, and a new Kingdom is built – and we participate – but the commandment reminds us it is already present – act like it!
For now, it is on Earth AS it is in Heaven. So when you rest, you’re not just recharging. You’re reflecting God’s reign.
You are trying to be an image bearer!
Reflection
How do we do that? First we have to recognize the kingdom as here – and not something after we die and float around on white puffy clouds.
We have to learn to live in the rhythm of the creator – as led by the Holy Spirit.
Ask yourself this - what would it look like to live my week as a citizen of heaven on earth? Then do it - you already are!
Prayer
King Jesus,
Your kingdom has come — and I want to live like it.
Teach me to rest, not just from exhaustion, but in faithful trust.
Let my time reflect the truth that You reign now.
Let my rest declare that I belong to You.
Your kingdom come — not just around me, but in me.
Amen.
Posted in Pentecost 2025
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