Thoughts of kingdoms
Human drawn Boundaries (interesting, we don’t see any boundaries when looking from space)
Leaders
Governing systems and structures
Maybe languages
when it comes to thinking about the Kingdom of God, what does that mean? As we have on a few other occasions in our study of Luke, we’ll discuss the Kingdom of God today.
Open your bibles to Luke 17.
Luke seems to make an abrupt shift from the the lessons that we’ve considered over the last few weeks - the thankfulness that is expected - as seen in the cleansing of the Lepers; faith and service expected from his followers; the reality of stumbling blocks that face all of us. All of this is in the context of Jesus’ move toward Jerusalem. As He is making His way to Jerusalem, He is likely followed by His apostles (the twelve), other disciples (sometimes up to hundreds of learners), and even the Pharisees - who seem to be both curious and cautious about Jesus. It’s this last group, the Pharisees, who bring us into the topic of the Kingdom of God as they inquire of Jesus when the Kingdom would come (20).
Luke 17:20–37 ESV
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.”
And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
The Pharisees likely had their ideas of what the Kingdom of God would look like. We could speculate on what they were expecting or hoping for, but it seems more prudent to consider what Jesus has to say - both in response to them and in private to His followers.
It seems like Jesus discusses some contrasting elements to the Kingdom.
First of all, Jesus notes that the Kingdom is…
Invisible and Visible.
In other words, the Kingdom will be both spiritually and visually discerned.
Jesus begins by noting that the Kingdom is
Invisible
Luke 17:20–21 “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.””
I do wonder if this is where Jesus may be addressing the Pharisees preconceived ideas about what the Kingdom would look like - visible in that it is ushered in with power and resulted with an heir of David being on a physical throne in Jerusalem leading the people of Israel (and all the world) in a sort of Theocratic-Monarchy. Maybe they were looking for miraculous and even cataclysmic events - like those pictured in Ezekiel and Daniel. Maybe they were looking for a godly, military leader who will overthrow the oppressive regime that currently ruled.
Whatever they may be thinking, Jesus notes that the Kingdom of God is not able to be visibly observed. Instead it is spiritually discerned. He even notes that it is “in the midst” of them - likely talking about Himself.
I think this is a bit of where the kingdom of God talk can be frustrating for many of us, as it was for them, and even as it was for John the Baptist (Luke 7:18ff). We want to see the Kingdom of God in power - or at least we want to see the Kingdom defeat those that we see as enemies.
But when you consider what Jesus was doing, what he was teaching, what he ushered in by his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus reveals that the Kingdom is spiritually discerned as it grows within each of us.
Maybe we become more aware of how elements of our lives are out of alignment with Jesus’ will - that awareness was not there before. Sure, it’s a gradual growth, but growth, change.
Or as the Kingdom of God gets more firmly established in our lives individually, or as families, or as a church, we begin to see our affections change, our interests shift, our desires morph into Kingdom things, our longings change. We gain a new perspective on the purpose of our vocations.
That gentle tug that is causing your friend to inquire about your faith or about the things of God.
The Kingdom of God is invisible.
While the Kingdom is invisible and spiritually discerned, Jesus notes that it will also be…
Visible
I think it is visible in a couple of ways. First of all, it is visible in…
people’s lives
In our own lives. As we seek to live out what Jesus modeled in his sacrificial life, and as we live with an open-handed view of the things of this world. Jesus said in verse Luke 17:33 “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” As we live that out in how we share meals, spend our time, serve others, pray, and so much more - things will be seen. We will begin to notice a transformation in us and in the lives of people around us. Maybe we should consider a couple of questions:
how are your affections different now than they were before you came to Christ?
how is your speech different - are you being uplifting and encouraging?
How is your love for others?
How is your generosity?
I think all of those are some of the life-losing things to which Jesus calls us. All of that is visible. All of that is part of the transforming work of the Kingdom of God.
But, the Pharisees didn’t have that fully in mind. They wanted to know when the visible Kingdom of God would be seen in…
great events
And yet Jesus doesn’t tell the Pharisees that. He does, however, turn aside to His disciples noting that there will be a day when the “Son of Man” will return. Jesus makes parallels to the days of Noah and Lot when God used a great flood and fire and sulfur to judge the wickedness of those generations. In the Old Testament, the prophets referred to future judgments as “The Day of the Lord.” In fact God talked about this through the prophet Amos (among others).
Amos 5:18–20 ESV
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why would you have the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, and not light,
as if a man fled from a lion,
and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
and a serpent bit him.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
The day of the Lord is a day of Divine Judgment.
While the Pharisees may have looked forward to that day, thinking they were in the right and the God was on their side, the question they should be asking is, “are they on God’s side?” Are we on God’s side? Or are we reading into the prophesies and proclamations of God with our own biases and preconceived ideas?
So, Jesus notes first of all that the Kingdom is both invisible and visible. Secondly, He seems to allude to the fact that the Kingdom of God is already here and yet still coming. In other words, it is…
Already and Not Yet.
Already
It is already in our midst, ushered in by the first coming of Jesus. Think about why we celebrate Christmas, why we have this season of advent. We are looking forward or really looking backward to something that has already happened. Jesus came, he healed, he taught us how we should live, and then he laid down his life as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He already paid for our entrance into the Kingdom.
It is already in our midst as we receive Christ and become more like Him. While he doesn’t use Kingdom language, the apostle Paul does help us to see what some of the already-ness of the Kingdom entails as our lives are transformed.
Romans 12:1–2 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
So the kingdom of God is here now! It is in our midst through Jesus Christ, but Jesus notes that it is also not yet.
Not yet
In other words, it is yet to come. We see that in verses 22-35. Notice some of His language - so much of it is future tense - coming, will or will not see it, so will it be, on that day (in the future), there will be…
Jesus clearly notes that there will come a time when “the Son of Man” is revealed. But this revelation will usher in a judgment. In other words, it will usher in the Day of the Lord.
In addition to being invisible and visible, already and not yet, the Jesus suggests that the Kingdom is…
Universal and Exclusive.
Universal
It is universal in the sense that all will see it. It seems like all will see it in a couple of ways.
Ordinary ways
First of all, in ordinary ways. In other words, in the regular parts of our lives as we’ve already discussed. As Jesus’ people begin to act more and more like Jesus, others will see it and be touched or affected by the Kingdom.
Throughout history, non-believing people have been affected by the ways that believers would run to care for the sick and in firmed - setting up hospitals, housing those with diseases, feeding the destitute.
In the age of the early church, political leaders were struck by the ways that Christians would care for the sick (believers and non-believers alike) - even to their own peril.
During the plague that affected Europe in the middle ages, many Christians, including Martin Luther’s family, stayed to care for the sick when others were fleeing the cities for refuge.
Luke 17:33 “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.”
Even today, there are those who continue to serve in those ways - helping the sick, serving the outcast, caring for the downtrodden. But beyond that, there are those who will…
pray with other moms for the schools in the area
bring food to those who have little
give generously to things like benevolence so that we as a church can help whomever may come.
When we gather on Sundays or intentionally choose to avoid activities that would cause us to miss gathering - other people see that and are affected.
Students - when you treat that ostracized student with care and dignity, you demonstrate the Kingdom of God.
No matter how old we are, when we let the things of God flow from our lips in regular conversations, we demonstrate how the Kingdom of God impacts our lives in ordinary ways.
Not only will the Kingdom be experienced universally through ordinary activities, Jesus notes here, it will also be universally experienced in extraordinary ways.
Extraordinary ways
Jesus clearly refers to some events in the future that will be unmistakable. Everyone one will see it. In fact, even the disciples asked “where?” and Jesus says “where the corpse is the vultures will gather.” In other words, no one will miss it. Just as the people in Noah’s day could not avoid the flood and the people of Sodom could not avoid the fire, so too, that coming judgment will be fantastic, amazing, extraordinary, and universally seen.
While there are parts of the Kingdom of God that are experienced universally, Jesus notes that entrance into the kingdom is…
Exclusive
Jesus says:
Luke 17:34–35 ESV
I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”
Clearly, some are in and some are out; some are saved, some are destroyed. The Kingdom of God is not universal in the sense that everyone will be saved. As one evangelistic program has said, “it is available for all, but not automatic.”
Fourthly, Jesus seems to reveal that the Kingdom of God is both…
Patient and Urgent.
Patient
It is patient in the sense that it is eternal and lasting and coming in the future.
We will all go about our lives as normal, as Jesus says: “eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage…buying and selling, planting and building” (26-30). God seems to be patient with us. Giving us time to repent and turn, to allow Him to transform our lives.
When people look through the OT, sometimes people see God as angry and vindictive and judgmental, but have you ever noticed how much time passes, how long God waits? From the time of the fall in Genesis 3 to the flood in Genesis 6-7 was well over 1000 years. God was patiently waiting for people to turn, and yet they refused.
Once the Kingdom of Israel was established, it was again hundreds of years before God judged his people with exile.
In Peter’s letters to the believers who were scattered throughout the region, he echoes many of Jesus comments here - even talking about Noah and Lot (2 Peter 2). He also helps us to have a longer view of this:
2 Peter 3:8–9 ESV
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
It seems like the Kingdom of God is exhibited and expanded as God’s people faithfully walk with Him in the ordinary routines of life, proclaiming the good new of the Kingdom - making time for others to respond. The Kingdom of God is patient.
And yet at the same time, the coming of the kingdom of God is…
Urgent
Jesus could be coming back at any time. Here in this passage, Jesus doesn’t give us many clues as to the timing, He simply says “on that day.” A few chapters ago, Jesus urged us to be in a perpetual state of readiness:
(Note for Steve, shortened)
Luke 12:40
Luke 12:40 ESV
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Jesus told his disciples just before his ascension:
Acts 1:7 ESV
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is coming again. We don’t know when, but He is coming. Our job is to be faithful in the meantime, bearing witness to His grace and love in our generation. In fact, immediately following this instruction about the times and seasons in the book of Acts, Jesus told his disciples:
Acts 1:8 ESV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Friend, if you’ve not yet responded to the call of Christ - know that there will be a day when He will return. We don’t know when. Frankly, we don’t know when we will breathe our final breaths. Let me encourage you to respond to the loving call of Jesus.
Revelation 3:20 ESV
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
While there are many contrasting elements to the Kingdom of God, one thing is not - that is, our place in the Kingdom of God is contingent.
Contingent.
On the rejection or acceptance of Christ in His generation - which happened. Jesus alluded to it in verse 25:
Luke 17:25 ESV
But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
So far, in our study of the book of Luke, Jesus has told his disciples twice that He would suffer and die. We’ll see that for a third time before the end of the month. As I said earlier, His death, burial, and resurrection made a way for you and me to be a part of the Kingdom of God.
Which brings us to the second contingency.
Our rejection or acceptance of Christ in our generation. Last week, Armal helped us to see that the lepers recognized that they needed mercy from Jesus, so too, we all must come to the place where we recognize our need and respond accordingly.
Ephesians 2:1–9 ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
have you responded to the gracious love of God?Have you received Christ as your savior?
The third contingency of our full acceptance in the Kingdom of God that we need to recognize is…
The return of Christ. Just as the prophets and angels foretold His first coming, Jesus promised His disciples that He would come again. The New Testament is replete with the promise of His second coming. When He comes, will you rest confidently in His salvation or will you resist defiantly in your own self-righteousness?
This advent season invites us to come and see the wonder and the mystery of this child in the manger, the God of the universe who took on our flesh in order to redeem us from the curse of our sin. Just as the angels talked to Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and others about his birth, so too, angels told his disciples and us about his return:
Acts 1:11 ESV
This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Are you ready?
Let’s pray.
The Lord’s Supper
Benediction
1 Timothy 3:16 ESV
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Questions for reflection and discussion
Read: Luke 17:20-37
(please note, some versions do not contain verse 36 since it is not included in some of the most reliable manuscripts)
What would you do if you were told you only had a few months left to live?
Why does the topic of death often make us feel uneasy?
Who prompted Jesus to begin to talk about the kingdom of God? (17:20)
What key themes do you see in Jesus' response to the Pharisees about the coming of the Kingdom of God?
Where is the kingdom of God? (17:21)
How did Jesus describe what the days of the Son of Man will be like? (17:24–30)
What should we remember about Lot’s wife?
What warning did Jesus give to those present on the day of the Son of Man? (17:31)
How would you describe your readiness for Christ’s Second Coming?
How can we actively live out the principles of the Kingdom of God in our relationships and daily choices?
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Liefeld, Walter L. “Luke.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, Vol. 8. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 12-24 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2005. Print.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
