“When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs. 21 Nor will people say, “Look, here it is,” or “There it is.” For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” – Luke 17:20,21
The Kingdom of God was a big theme in the ministry of Jesus.
It’s mentioned over 125 times in the Gospels, but just another 34 times in the rest of the N.T.
Everywhere Jesus went, the temperature in the room changed.
When He walked in—So did hope.
In Jesus’ day the idea of The Kingdom of God was thought to be when the Messiah would arrive on the seen and depose the Roman governmental rule and oppression.
But Jesus flipped the script when he said that the Kingdom wasn’t defined by borders or by politics—Rather, it was defined by His very presence.
“The Kingdom of God is near!” – Mark 1:15 (NLT)
Simply put—That meant that The Kingdom was Right Here, Right Now.
Jesus described the Kingdom as a mustard seed.
“… ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has brown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and make nests in its branches.’” – Matthew 13:31,32
A whisper in your spirit—A conviction you can’t quite shake—A moment of forgiveness you didn’t think you were capable of.
Do not despise small beginnings.
Over time, that little seed starts pushing through the soil of your heart.
Suddenly, joy starts replacing bitterness.
Peace starts growing where fear used to live.
You start to see God working in places you thought you would never see Him at work.
When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom would come, He said …
“… ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’” – Luke 17:20,21
The Kingdom shows up every time God’s Will get done – Here on earth.
When you choose to forgive instead of getting even – That’s the Kingdom.
When you sit with someone who’s hurting instead of avoiding their pain – That’s the Kingdom.
When you share your table with someone different than you – That’s the Kingdom.
It’s not about you BUILDING something – It’s about you BECOMING more like Jesus.
Look at what Jesus said in the introduction of the Sermon On The Mount …
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for there is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:3-5
In God’s Kingdom …
That’s why when you choose to serve instead of shine, to love instead of retaliating, to give when you could take—You are living the Kingdom-First life.
It’s what Paul meant when he wrote …
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but or righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17
In other words …
And that, my friend is good news for me.
The beautiful thing about God here is that He doesn’t just announce His Kingdom—He invites us into it.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
There is an old saying that goes like this – “You are the only Bible that some people will ever see.”
The Apostle Paul put it like this …
“You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone.” – 2 Corinthians 3:2
When you bring peace into conflict, when you bless instead of curse, when you shoe grace where others expect judgment—That’s the Kingdom oof God moving in and through you.
There’ this holy tension, this Kingdom Conundrum, if you will in the Bible.
Jesus says the Kingdom is already here—But the Book of Revelation shows us a day when it will come in full.
“Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.’” – Revelation 11:15
So yes—We live in a world with pain, cancer, gun violence, political strife and heartbreak.
But every time the light of Jesus breaks through that darkness, we get a glimpse of what’s coming.
Every time love overcomes hate – That’s a preview of the Kingdom.
Every time peace replaces panic – That’s a glimpse of the King.
The Kingdom is both Now, and next to come.
Its God’s will coming alive in real time while pointing toward the day it fills everything.
The Good News is not that you have to find the kingdom.
The Good News is that the Kingdom has already come and is looking for you.
So, if you are tired of running your own little kingdom – Of being the king of a world that keeps falling apart – Today’s your day to surrender to the real King.
Because life in the Kingdom isn’t about earning your spot—It’s about receiving a gift.
And that gift has your name on it, and it comes directly from Jesus Himself.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” – John 3:17
