Every individual in the crowd—as well as every reader of Luke’s Gospel—faces a decision. Has the kingdom of God come? It’s almost as if Jesus were exhorting the crowd: “Think!” Think about what you’re seeing. Think about what it means. This point is so important that Matthew, Mark, and Luke each recount some version of Jesus’ words here, while John tells us directly that Jesus “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
You know the answer. Jesus did bring a new kingdom, a kingdom filled with new possibilities and a whole new way of living. In this new kingdom, we live under a new covenant. We enter into a new relationship of love between Creator and created, between the Father and his beloved children. Think about it! You are no longer tied to sin, because Jesus came and set you free. You are not doomed to sit in dungeons of pain and guilt, because Jesus has set captives free. He opens eyes that are blind and provides new light for those who can see.
Yes, the kingdom of God has come. Jesus has triumphed over sin and death. A new era has dawned, and we are children of that era. We live under the reign of a good and wise and loving King. God wants to surround you with his goodness and love. He wants you to wake up every day believing in it. He wants you to walk through your day rejoicing in it. And he wants to help you, in your weakness, to obtain it.
However much God is doing in your life right now, he can do even more! His love is limitless. His desire for your well-being knows no bounds. So put your hope in the Lord. Ask him to expand your vision and your expectations today. Healing, repentance, forgiveness, peace, compassion—they are marks of the kingdom of God. Hospitality, generosity, concern for others—they are all marks of citizens of this kingdom. Speaking truth, telling what God has done, praying for others— this is how we spread the kingdom.
“Jesus, I believe your kingdom has come. Open my eyes and my heart today to see it around me.”
Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Psalm 9:2-3,6,8-9,16
