Luke 17 - Do You Have Kingdom Mentality?

Luke 17 - NIV

Luke 17 - Enduring Word Commentary

Key Verses:

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 

Commentary

The coming of the kingdom of God was an important theme which Jesus referred to on more than one occasion. When John the Baptist welcomed Jesus he said, "Repent for the kingdom of God has drawn near." One of the major reasons Jesus came from heaven to earth was to inaugurate God's kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. 

Everything Jesus did, whether deeds of power, teaching in parables, or his love for the least and lost showed what the kingdom of God looks like. Jesus' kingdom will reach it completion when Jesus comes back to raise the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. 

What did Jesus mean when he said, "The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed?" 

God's was in a sense invisible. Or, you could say it was more visible on the inside than the outside. Importantly, it was not the kingdom the people expected the Messiah would bring.

"Not a Political Spectacle: The kingdom does not arrive with the pomp, military fanfare, or observable signs typical of earthly governments. It cannot be tracked like a physical army moving across a map." bayshore church.org

Jesus said that there would be a time when the disciples would long for the kingdom of God to come. When Jesus left there would be many trials and tribulations for the disciples and persecution for their belief in him. They would long for and pray for Jesus' return to deliver them, but they would need to wait. 

Jesus predicted many would come claiming to be him. People would say, "There he is, or Here He is." 

Since the time of Jesus until now there have been dozens of people claiming be Him. They have one thing in common ... they are all imposters. 

When the real Jesus, the true Messiah returns, it will be unmistakeably clear. Jesus says it will be like, "lightning that lights up the sky from one end to another." You won't miss it. 

Application

Jesus inaugurated His kingdom, and now we are given the authority to continue to bring it in. We act on behalf of the king and His power. Jesus sent His Spirit to the disciples (and us) so they could have the power to do the things he did. Indeed, we see the apostles doing everyhing Jesus did including: healing of diseases, deliverance from demons, and even raising someone from the dead. 

As such, if you are a believer, you too can walk in kingdom power. We should have a "kingdom mindset". Meaning we don't worry about "our little kingdoms" but God's kingdom. This is why we can do things for God and not care who gets the credit. This is why we can celebrate with other churches when they reach many people for Christ, rather than worrying that they are growing bigger than ours. 

Are you observant and notice when God's kingdom is breaking into our world? Do you look for opportunities to advance God's kingdom in and through your own life. 

Remember Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Though it is the smallest seed it will grow to become a tree and many birds perched on its branches!"

Prayer:

Jesus, your kingdom will surely come without us, but we pray that we can participate in its coming in and through us. Help us to have a kingdom mentality and look for places that you are already working to join You in your kingdom work! We want to work for your kingdom here on earth until you return to bring in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.  

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