Luke 4:43
But he (Jesus) said, “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
When Jesus walked the earth, His central message was not just about forgiveness or even about heaven—it was about the Kingdom of God. In fact, the word “kingdom” appears over 150 times in the New Testament, 126 of those in the Gospels. Clearly, this was not a side topic; it was the very heartbeat of His mission.
A Different Kind of Kingdom
When we think of kingdoms, our minds often drift to medieval castles, rival thrones, and epic battles. I remember a friend who loved to re-watch Game of Thrones and discuss all the alliances and betrayals. Those kingdoms were about territory, power, and control.
But the Bible’s vision of the kingdom is different. The word kingdom in Scripture points primarily to God’s reign—His rule, His governance, His sovereignty.
“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19)
Yes, the kingdom creates a realm, and yes, it creates a people—but at its core, it is the active reign of God breaking into human history.
The Everlasting Reign
Isaiah 9:7 says:
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”
At first glance, that feels hard to reconcile with the world we see today. Wars, injustice, corruption, and decay seem to dominate the headlines. Yet Scripture reminds us:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
The kingdom is not absent—it is advancing, quietly and powerfully, through Christ and His people, the Church.
The Kingdom in Jesus’ Message
From the very beginning, both John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed the same urgent call:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17)
Jesus carried this message everywhere He went:
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“The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
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Even after His resurrection, “He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)
If the kingdom was central to Jesus’ message, then it must be central to ours.
The Shape of the Kingdom
Every kingdom has key elements:
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A King — Jesus, the Sovereign Lord.
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A Constitution — the covenant of God’s Word.
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Citizens — the people of God, redeemed by grace.
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Laws — principles of righteousness and justice.
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Privileges — blessings and promises for His people.
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A Culture — the way of life shaped by His Spirit.
But here is what makes God’s kingdom different from every earthly kingdom: its citizens are not just subjects, they are family. We are children of the King and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). And astonishingly, the King shares His authority with us.
Why the Kingdom Matters
First, because Jesus is King—and His commands matter. To love Him is to obey Him.
Second, because living in the kingdom transforms life now. The truths of the kingdom—the “keys of the kingdom” (Matthew 16:19)—teach us how to:
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Resolve conflict with grace.
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Live at peace even in chaos.
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Handle promotion and power responsibly.
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Walk in both abundance and contentment.
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Carry spiritual authority.
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Shine as witnesses until the King returns.
The kingdom isn’t about waiting until heaven—it’s about experiencing God’s reign here and now.
The Treasure of the Kingdom
Jesus said:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
Notice the word joy. To gain Christ, even at the cost of losing everything else, is not a tragedy but a triumph. The kingdom is worth it all.
Reflection Question
What would it look like for you to treasure the kingdom of God above everything else? What might you need to release in order to embrace His reign more fully?
