What is the kingdom of God?

23 March 2022

By Rev Kenneth Mtata 

Today’s readings

Psalm 39; 

Numbers 13:17-27; 

Luke 13:18-21

Verse of the day

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? (Luke 13:18).

In Mark and Luke, it is called the “kingdom of God.” In Matthew, it is called the “kingdom of heaven.” Since the gospels use “kingdom of heaven” and kingdom of God” interchangeably, they use these phrases to mean the same thing. But what is “kingdom of God”? There are many ways to explain it but let us just focus on three. 

First, the “kingdom of God” is God’s dominion of POWER over all things that are created. This is what is meant in Deuteronomy 10:12 which says, “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.” God also says, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine” (Psalm 50:14). We also read that “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Every creature belongs to this kingdom of God’s power. To ensure orderly, peaceful, and just coexistence among all creatures, God has put in place human governments. In this kingdom of power, human beings do not permanently possess anything. They only become stewards of God’s possessions which they will leave when they die.

The second meaning of “kingdom of God” is God’s reign of GRACE in all those who have opened their hearts and asked God to rule over their lives through faith in Jesus Christ. To establish his kingdom of Grace, God has established his church as an instrument for the preaching of the word, the administration of the sacraments and the enjoyment of fellowship. This is what Luke 17:20-21 refers to when he says, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is, because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” This kingdom of grace is always growing because everyday people are added to it as they believe and get baptized, but it is also being fought by all the forces of evil. That is why Luke 13:18-19 says. “Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

The third meaning of the “kingdom of God” is God’s coming Kingdom of GLORY in which God will finally come and establish his ultimate reign, when all forms of evil will be defeated, when the dead will be raised, and judgement will take place. When the kingdom of God’s glory is finally revealed, all people will truly honour and glorify God’s name: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). Therefore, in Luke 11:2 we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come!” 

Amen