3.      “Thy Kingdom come …”

Hennie Symington

Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. His answer was, “The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, “There it is!” because the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20:21

How do I experience God's kingdom?
Jesus often spoke of the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Throughout his brief life on earth the theme of the kingdom runs through his words like a golden thread. In Matthew alone, the Kingdom of heaven is referred to more than 45 times while both Mark and Luke speak of the Kingdom of God several times.

One thing that becomes clear from the Gospels is that this kingdom is not a distant phantom on the horizon or a promise of a kingdom that will come in the far distant future, but one that already exists here and now “as it is in heaven”. After all, God has been and is still present in all times from the beginning of time to eternity. .

The Kingdom is invisible but present
This kingdom is not of the world but has everything to do with this world. It involves the power of God to rule over all things in heaven and on earth and putting his plan of salvation into action. It is a kingdom where the grace of God extends to all people and at the same time it is a powerful kingdom where Christ reigns over the entire universe. Yet this mighty kingdom is present in the hearts of all who acknowledge Christ's dominion over his or her life.

Not an earthly kingdom
It’s not the kind of kingdom we are used to with the trappings of wealth and power. It is not a second rate kingdom competing with the kings of this earth. It is not just another dynasty, but a kingdom that has been present from the beginning and throughout the history of our faith with a lineage that extends to the end of time.

In this kingdom there are no social orders and no ranks. Princes and princesses have the same rights as ordinary people and the only law that rules is the law of love. If someone slaps you, you turn the other cheek, and if someone forces you to walk a mile with him, you go the second mile.

Not our kind of kingdom
Unfortunately this is not the kind of kingdom the world desires. We live in a materialistic world where "image" rules and the biggest, the, strongest and richest is our benchmark. It’s only once you realise that this kingdom offers a wealth far beyond your wildest dreams and that your duty as a citizen of this kingdom is to reveal this kingdom to the world by obeying the King and spreading the message of salvation that it becomes real.

Prayer for the day:

Lord, I have been so blinded by the outward display of wealth and power that your kingdom has lost its shine for me. Show me those pictures of that faraway Kingdom to remind me of your presence in the world.