Word@Work Luke263 - Luke 17:20-21
Published: Tue, 01/04/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
CLOSER THAN DEDUCTION OR MYSTICISM
Luke 17:20-21 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." (NIV)
Although Jesus had been preaching about the Kingdom of God for some time, the proud and legalistic Pharisees did not understand. So they asked Jesus when this Kingdom would come. Their mindset could only think about a superior military force or return to King David's day. Doubtless all sorts of learned people had been searching the scriptures for a prophetic explanation; and some had pretended to be the Messiah trying to get others to follow them. But the Pharisees were no wiser.
Jesus said that God's rule on earth could not be understood by logical deduction or intense mysticism. Its arrival cannot be calculated like the predictable positions of stars, because God's kingdom on earth exists wherever Jesus Christ is honoured and obeyed. By saying 'the kingdom of God is within you', Jesus was saying, "I am here in the middle of you, I am the King; follow me". He was not encouraging so called 'spiritual introspection' or 'creative imagining' (like many of the mystics of that day and ours). It was simply a way of saying, "You don't need to look any further; I am the King!"
Many people today are shocked by the apparent simplicity of the gospel. They are surprised that there is no spiritual league table based on academic qualifications or mysterious enlightenment. The plain truth is that when people believe in Jesus and submit to Him, they become a part of God's kingdom. When they hear and obey the word of Christ, His kingdom starts operating within them; they become citizens of His kingdom for all eternity. See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more, and tell others about it too.
Prayer: Wonderful God. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ so that we might believe in Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forgive me when I have allowed even the intricacies of Bible Study or the responsibilities of church government to distract my attention away from the simple truth that the 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'. Help me to treasure your mercy and grace towards me, and not to think that my inclusion in Your kingdom is because of anything I have done. And I do not want any of my friends and colleagues to think that their route to Your kingdom is through their good works, but by grace alone. Help them to see that submitting to Jesus is the start of being in His kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Although Jesus had been preaching about the Kingdom of God for some time, the proud and legalistic Pharisees did not understand. So they asked Jesus when this Kingdom would come. Their mindset could only think about a superior military force or return to King David's day. Doubtless all sorts of learned people had been searching the scriptures for a prophetic explanation; and some had pretended to be the Messiah trying to get others to follow them. But the Pharisees were no wiser.
Jesus said that God's rule on earth could not be understood by logical deduction or intense mysticism. Its arrival cannot be calculated like the predictable positions of stars, because God's kingdom on earth exists wherever Jesus Christ is honoured and obeyed. By saying 'the kingdom of God is within you', Jesus was saying, "I am here in the middle of you, I am the King; follow me". He was not encouraging so called 'spiritual introspection' or 'creative imagining' (like many of the mystics of that day and ours). It was simply a way of saying, "You don't need to look any further; I am the King!"
Many people today are shocked by the apparent simplicity of the gospel. They are surprised that there is no spiritual league table based on academic qualifications or mysterious enlightenment. The plain truth is that when people believe in Jesus and submit to Him, they become a part of God's kingdom. When they hear and obey the word of Christ, His kingdom starts operating within them; they become citizens of His kingdom for all eternity. See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more, and tell others about it too.
Prayer: Wonderful God. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ so that we might believe in Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forgive me when I have allowed even the intricacies of Bible Study or the responsibilities of church government to distract my attention away from the simple truth that the 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'. Help me to treasure your mercy and grace towards me, and not to think that my inclusion in Your kingdom is because of anything I have done. And I do not want any of my friends and colleagues to think that their route to Your kingdom is through their good works, but by grace alone. Help them to see that submitting to Jesus is the start of being in His kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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