. . . being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3
Jesus mentions the kingdom of God or heaven over one hundred times in four gospels. He mentions the church twice and being born again once. That should reveal what was important to Jesus. Or at least, what was important to the gospel writers as they reflected on their time with Him. Even after His resurrection, He spent His last days on the earth with His disciples, speaking about things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God can be defined as the King’s domain. It is the rule of God. It is where His will, desire, or pleasure is done. It is often thought to be the same thing as heaven. Heaven, being an actual place, is what it is because of the kingdom of God. Heaven is heaven because God’s will, desire, and pleasure is performed there all the time.
However, the kingdom is also here now. This was Jesus’ first sermon: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). He was announcing the availability of the kingdom of God. He was announcing the opportunity to be under God’s domain. The church is not the kingdom, but is to be under the kingdom; saints are not the kingdom, even though they are to be in the kingdom and carriers and expanders of it.
There is one simple, yet foundational reality about the kingdom that Jesus taught during His ministry: the kingdom has a King! The kingdom is only as good as its king, and that is good news for us. Jesus is that King. The Jews wanted to kill Him because He claimed to be God, but the Romans did not mind Him being a god—they had thousands. However, there is only one king in God’s kingdom, so Jesus’ claim to royalty was an issue for the Romans.
In the kingdom of God, there is freedom; but that does not make it a democracy. There is a sovereign King. Americans can vote for their leaders, but Christians are to yield to their King. Most Americans stumble at this foundational kingdom reality. Never having lived in a kingdom or having seen a kingdom led by such a wonderful King as Jesus, we find it hard to see the blessing of this reality.
However, consider some basic king and kingdom truths. Any victory the King wins, the kingdom citizens win also. Whatever territories the King conquers, the kingdom citizens get to inhabit. If the King prospers and is generous, the citizens prosper. And Jesus is a generous King. He gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness. When someone attacks a kingdom citizen, they attack the King. The King is responsible for the state of the kingdom. These are wonderful realities that make having a King as good as Jesus really good news!
Do you consider Jesus as your King? My father used to say one is living under a King’s rule when decisions are being made and the first question is not “what do I want?” but “has the King already made a decision on this matter?” You have a good King. Are you are good follower of your King?