“On the way to
Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.” Luke 17:11
We do not know how long Jesus remained in Ephraim with his
disciples, nor may we pinpoint with certainty when he left for His final journey to Jerusalem,
Passover and the cross, but we can trace some of His way, those he encountered
and what He taught and to whom.
Remember,
as the journey began he healed the ten lepers (cf., my post from Wed. March 11),
then Luke continues by reporting his teachings on the Kingdom of God; first to
the Pharisees, regarding its nature (Vv. 20-21) and next to His disciples
regarding their readiness for what was yet to be – both at the cross and in the
final (or last days) when He was to come again (Vv. 22ff). All of this period
is known as the Kingdom of God on Earth.
We are citizens of this Kingdom now - and the world, whether realizing
it or not, exists within it, too.
God’s time clock regarding this Kingdom has begun. He has sent the World
His Son. Redemption’s price has been met, and we (Christ’s bride) wait for His
(Christ – the Bridegroom’s) final return.
First…
listen to what Jesus says to the Pharisees.
‘And being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’ Luke 17:20-22
I
suspect that the Pharisees thought Jesus was speaking in riddles – being
intentionally unclear. However, Jesus was not being unclear. The ‘unobservable’
Kingdom (as far as the Pharisees were concerned) was so because of the hearts
of these who were asking. Jesus answer was His indictment – and still they
didn’t see it – even adding this… ‘Behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst
of you.’ The ‘unobservable’ was so – not because it could not be seen but
because of these hearts that were cold and closed. Hearts bent the way of these
Pharisees will be hearts bent never to see the Kingdom of God. It’s not an “I
can’,” its an “I won’t.”
In
living our days it can be tempting – even for those of us who are in Christ –
to become despondent and negative. This happens, I think, because we are
looking at life through the wrong lens – as citizens, not of God’s Kingdom, but
of the world. But what would happen if we really lived everyday as citizens of
God’s Kingdom? Seeing God on His throne and our selves as His subjects.
Realizing life in this way would be to practice the presence of Christ, not as
victims but victors. By remembering we serve a Risen Savior and Lord, One who
is coming again, who has paid for our redemption and sealed our eternity with
Him in heaven – and, One who, even now, is “right here in our midst,” we can then
say with Paul, “Christ is in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God.”
Yes, we
should never forget that the Kingdom of God has come. For those of us who know
it, it is time we started to live it.
Amen?
Amen!
Pastor
Sam
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