Thy Kingdom Come

Jesus came to die for our sins and to advance the kingdom of God. Isaiah prophesied of His coming in the Old Testament and the Jews awaited his coming. Jesus was born during a time of Jewish oppression by the Romans. The people expected a king to be born, who would overthrow their oppressors and set them free. However, much to the surprise of the wise men and the people during his time, Jesus made his entry in a stable. Isaiah said about Jesus, “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2).

How could people wrap their heads around a saviour and king being born in a stable? This was a time when God used the simple things to confound the wise and the weak things to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). Jesus’s kingdom is not of this world and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7). The kingdoms of this world, pales in comparison to the kingdom of God.

None of the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of this world is enough to impress Jesus. His demonstration of the kingdom was, “to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). Wherever Jesus went, he healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the leader, opened the eyes of the blind and the gospel was preached (Matthew 11:5). Jesus went around doing good and wherever he went, all who were brought to him were healed, delivered and set free. What Jesus did during his time, was to establish a kingdom culture and mindset.

Jesus didn’t labour once after his ministry started, yet his physical needs were met. Twice he helped Peter to bring in a net breaking load of fish, in order to meet his needs (Luke 5:4–6; John 21:6–8). Jesus would not allow the crowds who came to listen to his sermons, to return home hungry. On one occasion he multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand (John 6:1-14). On another occasion he multiplied seven loaves and two fish to feed four thousand (Matthew 15:29-39). Jesus also turned water into wine at the marriage in Canaan (John 2:1-11). We are his ambassadors and we carry within us the mark of Jesus Christ.

The culture of the kingdom should be evident in and around us, wherever we live, work and wherever we have a sphere of influence. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”” (Revelation 11:15).

A.P.-Y.