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The Kingdom of God is People
I have talked about the Kingdom of God often on this podcast. Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God a lot as well. But Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God in the same way he taught about most things — indirectly. He gave parables, metaphors, and similes about the Kingdom and what it’s like but never really said what it is. Let’s start with one of my favorites from the Sermon on the Mount.
Therefore do not be anxious, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matt 6:31-34 [ESV]
In this short teaching, Jesus teaches us what the Kingdom of God is not. It is not what we eat, drink, or wear. We will receive all those things from God if we seek His Kingdom before all else.
But What is a Kingdom?
The English word gives us a clue. A Kingdom is that which is under the domain or rule of a king. So, to seek the Kingdom of God is to actively seek His rule on earth. It begins with each of us seeking to follow and obey God as King. But Kingdoms are more than land. Kings rule over people. Like a city, a kingdom is a group of people first and foremost.
The people Jesus spoke to were early first-century Jews and would have been thinking all kinds of political and national thoughts when they heard Jesus talking about the Kingdom of God. They believed that God, through the long-prophesied son of David, was about to fulfill those ancient prophecies and glorify Israel above all the nations of the earth. Many of those who followed Jesus believed him to be that messianic son of David. But when you look carefully at what Jesus said about the Kingdom, was restoring Israel to power really what he was describing? Or was it something else, something bigger?
While Jesus was on the earth preaching the Kingdom, he taught that he was the way, the truth, and the life. Finding faith in him was finding life itself. He sent his disciples out with the same task: to announce the Kingdom and lead people to faith in Jesus. Seeking the Kingdom has both a personal aspect and a corporate aspect. We must seek the Kingdom for ourselves, but when we find it, we must tell others. Consider the following verses:
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Mat 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,
which a man found and covered up.
Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
Matt 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Light of the World
Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
These stories teach us two important truths.
* We must seek the Kingdom and find the Kingdom no matter the cost.
* We must share what we have found so that all may see it and glorify God.
How do we “seek first the Kingdom of God?”
We do this by show and tell. Consider the following statements of Jesus.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35 [ESV]
And Jesus came and said to them,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:18-20 [ESV]
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe
This Week
Rather than trying to argue people into the Kingdom this week, let’s all do our best to show them the Kingdom by loving each other and sharing the love of Jesus with those who still don’t know or believe. This week, let’s seek the righteousness of God’s Kingdom more than anything else this world might use to entice us and allow His love to overflow us to others.
Have a great week!
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe
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By Tom PossinI have talked about the Kingdom of God often on this podcast. Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God a lot as well. But Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God in the same way he taught about most things — indirectly. He gave parables, metaphors, and similes about the Kingdom and what it’s like but never really said what it is. Let’s start with one of my favorites from the Sermon on the Mount.
Therefore do not be anxious, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matt 6:31-34 [ESV]
In this short teaching, Jesus teaches us what the Kingdom of God is not. It is not what we eat, drink, or wear. We will receive all those things from God if we seek His Kingdom before all else.
But What is a Kingdom?
The English word gives us a clue. A Kingdom is that which is under the domain or rule of a king. So, to seek the Kingdom of God is to actively seek His rule on earth. It begins with each of us seeking to follow and obey God as King. But Kingdoms are more than land. Kings rule over people. Like a city, a kingdom is a group of people first and foremost.
The people Jesus spoke to were early first-century Jews and would have been thinking all kinds of political and national thoughts when they heard Jesus talking about the Kingdom of God. They believed that God, through the long-prophesied son of David, was about to fulfill those ancient prophecies and glorify Israel above all the nations of the earth. Many of those who followed Jesus believed him to be that messianic son of David. But when you look carefully at what Jesus said about the Kingdom, was restoring Israel to power really what he was describing? Or was it something else, something bigger?
While Jesus was on the earth preaching the Kingdom, he taught that he was the way, the truth, and the life. Finding faith in him was finding life itself. He sent his disciples out with the same task: to announce the Kingdom and lead people to faith in Jesus. Seeking the Kingdom has both a personal aspect and a corporate aspect. We must seek the Kingdom for ourselves, but when we find it, we must tell others. Consider the following verses:
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Mat 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,
which a man found and covered up.
Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
Matt 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Light of the World
Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
These stories teach us two important truths.
* We must seek the Kingdom and find the Kingdom no matter the cost.
* We must share what we have found so that all may see it and glorify God.
How do we “seek first the Kingdom of God?”
We do this by show and tell. Consider the following statements of Jesus.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35 [ESV]
And Jesus came and said to them,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:18-20 [ESV]
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe
This Week
Rather than trying to argue people into the Kingdom this week, let’s all do our best to show them the Kingdom by loving each other and sharing the love of Jesus with those who still don’t know or believe. This week, let’s seek the righteousness of God’s Kingdom more than anything else this world might use to entice us and allow His love to overflow us to others.
Have a great week!
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe