As we continue to journey with Jesus, have we realised that we are already approaching the last quarter of this book? It brings much anticipation, and also much apprehension. The climax is going to be reached, but am I ready to let my Lord die?

We see that Jesus’ twelve disciples then did not understand these things (Luke 18:34).

Perhaps it is good to take a while to ponder about how Jesus felt at this point in time, when He knew He was going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die, yet none of His disciples could empathise with Him because none of them truly understood what He meant. Remember that Jesus, our God, was also fully man. How would you have felt?

Let’s read…

Bible Passage: Luke 17-18

Jesus continued to teach His disciples and followers many things, including forgiveness (17:4), recognising that we are unprofitable servants (17:10), persistance in prayers (18:7), and the danger of being self-righteous (18:14). All of these have important teachings that we can apply in our daily life, which maybe you readers can share. 😛

One theme that constantly came up as I read (not sure if you all noticed):

The Kingdom of God

“For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (17:21)

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”  (18:16)

“For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (18:25)

These are all in red; they are all the words of Jesus.

Initially, I thought that it was such a coincidence that Jesus should mention the kingdom of God three times throughout two chapters. On second thoughts, maybe this is not so much of a coincidence afterall! Was not this precisely what Jesus was here on earth for? He was here to preach the kingdom of God. He was here to establish the kingdom of God, through His sacrifice. Then, obviously, He would often relate back to it.

If Jesus’ main purpose on earth was the kingdom of God, then what about us? Do we also have the same purpose?

Last night during the Songs of Solomon lesson, preacher talked about entering into the king’s chambers (Songs 1:4). Compared to how Paul once went up to the third heaven and desired to be there, concluding that it is far better (Philippians 1:23), and how Elder John, after penning down the revelation from God, can only conclude with “Yes, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20), what are our feelings towards the kingdom of God?

Do we desire it as much as Apostle Paul or Elder John? Do we run after Him, and be led into His chambers, to know Him face-to-face? Or is the kingdom of God just a distant future that we cannot grasp?

Jesus said, “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.(17:21)” The chinese translation puts it more literally – “in your hearts”, or “in your midst”. I came across this song before I believed in Christ and I had liked it immediately because it gave me a very soothing and happy feeling. I get this feeling that if I were to believe in Jesus, I would feel this very real joy in my heart.

天堂在我心

The lyrics also encourages that we can be renewed in Christ, that we would have no fear and no sorrow in true love. And that would be liken to heaven in our hearts.  Do we have heaven in our hearts? Are we truly free?

The words in Luke 17:21 really strikes me. Jesus said not to think that the kingdom of God is going to be some tangible thing, which you can point to and say, “See here!” or “See there!” We often think of heaven as a place and indeed, the Bible often describes it as though it is a place. There are streets of gold and walls of jasper (Revelation 21: 18). There are many rooms, which Jesus has first gone to prepare for us (John 14:2). When we read of these descriptions, it is understandable that we imagine a physical place. However, do not forget that heaven is actually spiritual. Which is why Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is in your midst.”

One thought came to me when I was reading this: If we can all keep the Word of God in its entirety, if we can all keep holy and pure, if we can all fully manifest the love of Jesus towards one another, if we can completely hold fast the teachings of the Bible in unity, then perhaps we would be experiencing the kingdom of heaven right now. But we are not, because, as a Church, we are not yet perfected.

Let me try to make my point clearer. When I think about Jesus’ second coming, I used to imagine that Jesus would gather the true believers and lead them to this place called heaven and we will all be very happy together over there. But as I read this passage of the Bible again, I start to realise that, while Jesus gathers His true believers together, this group of believers is the kingdom of God. The group of true believers together is heaven itself. Heaven is not a physical place; it is a spiritual gathering of His perfect true Church.

Which is not yet so.

We do not have to be discouraged. Rather, we ought to work first within ourselves. Again, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” Is your heart the kingdom of God? Does your heart recognise Jesus as the king? Is your heart filled with the peace and joy of heaven? Is your heart holy and blameless before God? Is your heart full of praise and worship towards God, day and night? If our hearts are not first the kingdom of God, how would we ever expect the Church to be perfected and God to receive us up in glory?

The kingdom of heaven is someplace beyond description, and beyond comparison. By faith, we know that it is “far better” than anything we have now on earth. However, to reach that place, we do not simply wait for Jesus to receive us up. Look, Jesus was in fact replying the Pharisees when they asked when the kingdom of God would come. But they asked in vain when the kingdom of God is not first established in their hearts. I often wonder if I can really sing  天堂在我心 with true conviction.

Can you?