thy kingdom come

Good morning all,
As far back as the prophets of the Old Testament people have looked forward to a time when God's kingdom would come and set everything right. For Jewish people of Jesus' time that hope focused on the restoration of the nation of Israel and the end of foreign domination. Jesus saw his ministry as one of announcing that God's kingdom was near. Today, some Pharisees ask Jesus when the kingdom will come.

Jesus answers the question in two ways here: on the one hand, the kingdom is among them now because the kingdom comes in Jesus. Interestingly, the New International Version of the Bible (which is also an excellent translation) translates that sentence: "The kingdom of God is within you." This translation points more towards our participation in God's kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit, which is also true. Jesus also looks forward to his own return, which we expect to bring in the final victory of God's love and justice. His point here seems to be that there's no need to speculate about times and places, because when he returns it will be obvious to everyone. Our job now is to build up the kingdom now by taking part in God's mission while we look forward to the day when Christ comes in power to set all things right.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 17:20-25

20Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” 22Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.