Reflecting on Luke 21:29-36“When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31)
Did Jesus mean the kingdom of God would come soon, in the disciples’ time?
Or was He referring to the final day of history, when Jesus fully returns?
It depends on how we understand ‘the kingdom of God’.
Jesus confers a different kingdom on us, not of (or like) this world (Luke 22:24-30).
It is a kingdom that operates the way Jesus did, with humble gracious love.
Whenever the world is in tumult or crisis, Jesus is actively present with love and grace.
Right now in Haiti for example, the kingdom of God is near and at hand.
This is because God’s kingdom is not a military or political reality.
It is the gracious and compassionate God intervening like Jesus did.
God and Jesus-like humans stepping into the violence to bring hope and help.
As Jesus followers, we are agents of the kingdom of God, if we serve like Jesus.
While worldly people call for military strength and political control, not Jesus.
In times of crisis and chaos, Jesus followers step in as humble servants.
And the seeds of humble, gracious love will one day bloom into God’s paradise.
This is how the kingdom of God is near: “I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we keep looking for a worldly king, and forget to join in serving with our heavenly king. It is not the christians who praise and promote war who represent Jesus the King, but Jesus followers who humbly kneel and serve with compassion and mercy. May Your kingdom come, may Your will be done!
I am an instrument of His peace in His Kingdom forour world belongs to God. He is the Ruler and I must focus on Jesus first so that in my anxieties of today’s happenings need to be cast on Jesus Who will take care of me. I need to focus on the upward look andnot the downward look as I serve Him today and in the days to come. Jesus Saviour pilot me all my days.