Luke 17-B “The Kingdom of God is Among You"

S = 17:20-21 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.

O = Jesus was asked a “When?” question by the Pharisees and gives a “where-what?” answer. “When?” was not the best question to ask since Jesus had already made it clear that the kingdom was already there (à11:20) as evidenced by his casting out of demons and working other miracles as well. What had not arrived was the Pharisees’ concept of the kingdom—a literal Davidic kingdom victorious over all enemies. They failed to recognize that the Kingdom of God would not be localized any longer (John 4:20-24), for God’s plan and his kingdom are bigger than any one nation or people. True, there is a “not yet” element to the fullness of the kingdom for us, but even so, it is certainly not what the Pharisees were expecting. Their kingdom concept was exclusive, God’s kingdom was inclusive. The kingdom was “in the midst” of them or “among them,” not “within them” since they were unbelievers. Jesus Christ, standing there talking to them, was the kingdom itself! He was the true Israel, the second Adam. He was the place where God and mankind meet, the center of the kingdom, a Spiritual Temple, and he was also the King Himself—surprise! The kingdom is here now in a very real way though you don’t recognize it, nor do you reach out to embrace it.

A = I wonder how often I am within the grasp of the kingdom of God and don’t recognize it. I wonder if the kingdom can’t be seen coming, but can only be recognized retroactively—after going through some difficult circumstances to realize that Jesus was working as the king to make me more a citizen of the kingdom than I thought and that as a result, others are now entering this camouflaged kingdom of God. I also wonder how often I stumble over the ownership of the kingdom. It is God’s after all to rule over and direct, and not mine.

P = O Lord Jesus, May I have eyes of faith to see your kingdom at work in my circumstances and my heart. O King of heaven, May I have arms of love to respond to your presence and embrace it.  O Spirit of grace, May I have a heart of gratitude to be a part of your sovereign plan—and not harboring bitterness at seeing my plans come to naught…after all you are King and you are good! I have no room to complain!  Am