The Coming of the Kingdom of God
This week will be a bit long. The scripture is a discussion of the End times as told by Luke.
I will not include any OT scripture to keep the reading load lighter.
This is fascinating stuff! And while I was never a fan of the Eschatology (study of end times) in the Left Behind movies – I can see where they got some of it. I might try and explain my thoughts about that this week.
I speak nearly every week about this place we as Christians live – in the Kingdom of God.
Most people still do not understand what that means. Hopefully, we can change that this week.
I am traveling to North Carolina for a wedding to officiate on Wednesday (who knew people get married mid-week – love it!). If you wake up one morning and the blog is not ready – be patient – it will be up at some time in the morning.
Let’s Dive in!
This week will be a bit long. The scripture is a discussion of the End times as told by Luke.
I will not include any OT scripture to keep the reading load lighter.
This is fascinating stuff! And while I was never a fan of the Eschatology (study of end times) in the Left Behind movies – I can see where they got some of it. I might try and explain my thoughts about that this week.
I speak nearly every week about this place we as Christians live – in the Kingdom of God.
Most people still do not understand what that means. Hopefully, we can change that this week.
I am traveling to North Carolina for a wedding to officiate on Wednesday (who knew people get married mid-week – love it!). If you wake up one morning and the blog is not ready – be patient – it will be up at some time in the morning.
Let’s Dive in!
Day One – Already Among You
Luke 17:20–21
When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, they were asking the question that sat at the center of Jewish hope.
Not “if” — but when. When would God finally intervene?
When would He set things right? When would oppression end, and justice reign?
And Jesus answers — but not with dates or signs. He says something far more disruptive:
“The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed… for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
At first glance, that sounds mystical — maybe even evasive.
But Jesus isn’t dodging. He’s reframing.
He’s telling them that the kingdom isn’t a future event to anticipate.
It’s a present reality to recognize. He is the kingdom. And they’re missing it.
I think this is why I bring it up so often – but if religious scholars can’t comprehend Jesus – who am I to expect success? – but I keep trying.
Historical Context
In the 1st century, the phrase “kingdom of God” was anything but abstract. It was political. Tangible. Loaded with expectation.
To the average Jewish listener, the kingdom of God meant a restoration of Israel’s national identity — a visible, powerful, and undeniable act of divine justice.
Most importantly - It meant Rome defeated.
Then - It meant the temple purified. It meant a king like David on the throne and peace in the land. They expected signs — cosmic, military, prophetic.
So, when Jesus says, “It’s not coming with signs to be observed,” He isn’t just correcting their theology. He’s confronting their imagination.
The Greek phrase He uses — entos hymōn — has been debated. (oh but for the love of scholars!)
Does it mean “within you”? Or “among you”?
Most scholars agree that in this context, Jesus is saying, “It’s right here. Right now. Among you.” Because He is among them.
The King has come. And where the King is, the kingdom has already begun.
But here’s the tragedy: the very people asking the question are blind to the answer standing in front of them.
Jesus wasn’t the kind of king they expected. He didn’t ride in with armies. He didn’t organize a rebellion.
He healed the broken. He dined with sinners. He forgave enemies.
He taught about humility, not conquest.
And because they couldn’t see Him for who He was, they couldn’t see the kingdom either.
Modern Reflection
We’re not so different, are we?
We still ask God to show up. We still wait for signs. We still wonder when He’ll finally fix things — in our lives, in our churches, in our world.
And yet Jesus still says what He said back then: “The kingdom is already among you.”
Not in full. Not in glory. But it’s here.
It’s in the way of Jesus. In the people who follow Him. In every act of forgiveness, mercy, truth, and love. The kingdom breaks in every time we surrender to His reign.
But here’s the catch — we have to see it. And that means we have to stop looking for God to show up only in the spectacular. He’s already present in the ordinary.
He's already present when you love your neighbor.
When you pray with sincerity. When you choose peace over retaliation. When you serve without applause. (Thank you choir for your humility!)
The kingdom doesn’t come with trumpets. It comes through trust.
And so the question isn’t just “When?” or “How?”
The question is: Helloooooo, Are you awake to it?
The Pharisees missed it — and they were the religious experts.
It’s possible to study the Scriptures, attend the gatherings, say the right prayers… and still miss the King standing in the room.
So, let’s slow down today. Let’s pay attention. The kingdom is not postponed. It’s present. And Jesus is still calling us to see it.
Prayer
Jesus,
You are the King — and You are here.
Forgive me for the ways I keep waiting for You to come, when You’re already at work.
Open my eyes to see Your kingdom — not just in church or in crisis, but in the everyday.
Reign in me today.
And let Your kingdom come, in me, as it is in Heaven.
Amen.
Luke 17:20–21
When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, they were asking the question that sat at the center of Jewish hope.
Not “if” — but when. When would God finally intervene?
When would He set things right? When would oppression end, and justice reign?
And Jesus answers — but not with dates or signs. He says something far more disruptive:
“The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed… for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
At first glance, that sounds mystical — maybe even evasive.
But Jesus isn’t dodging. He’s reframing.
He’s telling them that the kingdom isn’t a future event to anticipate.
It’s a present reality to recognize. He is the kingdom. And they’re missing it.
I think this is why I bring it up so often – but if religious scholars can’t comprehend Jesus – who am I to expect success? – but I keep trying.
Historical Context
In the 1st century, the phrase “kingdom of God” was anything but abstract. It was political. Tangible. Loaded with expectation.
To the average Jewish listener, the kingdom of God meant a restoration of Israel’s national identity — a visible, powerful, and undeniable act of divine justice.
Most importantly - It meant Rome defeated.
Then - It meant the temple purified. It meant a king like David on the throne and peace in the land. They expected signs — cosmic, military, prophetic.
So, when Jesus says, “It’s not coming with signs to be observed,” He isn’t just correcting their theology. He’s confronting their imagination.
The Greek phrase He uses — entos hymōn — has been debated. (oh but for the love of scholars!)
Does it mean “within you”? Or “among you”?
Most scholars agree that in this context, Jesus is saying, “It’s right here. Right now. Among you.” Because He is among them.
The King has come. And where the King is, the kingdom has already begun.
But here’s the tragedy: the very people asking the question are blind to the answer standing in front of them.
Jesus wasn’t the kind of king they expected. He didn’t ride in with armies. He didn’t organize a rebellion.
He healed the broken. He dined with sinners. He forgave enemies.
He taught about humility, not conquest.
And because they couldn’t see Him for who He was, they couldn’t see the kingdom either.
Modern Reflection
We’re not so different, are we?
We still ask God to show up. We still wait for signs. We still wonder when He’ll finally fix things — in our lives, in our churches, in our world.
And yet Jesus still says what He said back then: “The kingdom is already among you.”
Not in full. Not in glory. But it’s here.
It’s in the way of Jesus. In the people who follow Him. In every act of forgiveness, mercy, truth, and love. The kingdom breaks in every time we surrender to His reign.
But here’s the catch — we have to see it. And that means we have to stop looking for God to show up only in the spectacular. He’s already present in the ordinary.
He's already present when you love your neighbor.
When you pray with sincerity. When you choose peace over retaliation. When you serve without applause. (Thank you choir for your humility!)
The kingdom doesn’t come with trumpets. It comes through trust.
And so the question isn’t just “When?” or “How?”
The question is: Helloooooo, Are you awake to it?
The Pharisees missed it — and they were the religious experts.
It’s possible to study the Scriptures, attend the gatherings, say the right prayers… and still miss the King standing in the room.
So, let’s slow down today. Let’s pay attention. The kingdom is not postponed. It’s present. And Jesus is still calling us to see it.
Prayer
Jesus,
You are the King — and You are here.
Forgive me for the ways I keep waiting for You to come, when You’re already at work.
Open my eyes to see Your kingdom — not just in church or in crisis, but in the everyday.
Reign in me today.
And let Your kingdom come, in me, as it is in Heaven.
Amen.
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