Title: The Kingdom of God is Among Us and Within Us (Luke 17:21-22)
Word count: 500
Introduction:
In the Gospels, Jesus often spoke about the kingdom of God. He taught his disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10), and he said that the kingdom of God was “at hand” (Matthew 4:17). But what exactly did Jesus mean by the kingdom of God?
In Luke 17:21-22, Jesus gives us a clue. He says, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is! ‘ For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
This passage is often interpreted to mean that the kingdom of God is something that is inward and spiritual. It is not something that can be seen or touched, but it is something that is present in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ.
However, I believe that the kingdom of God is more than just something inward and spiritual. It is also something that is outward and visible. It is the presence of God among his people, and it is the way that God’s rule and reign is manifested in the world.
The kingdom of God is among us:
In Luke 17:21, Jesus says that the kingdom of God is “in the midst of you.” This means that the kingdom of God is present in the world, and it is accessible to all people.
Jesus brought the kingdom of God to earth with his ministry. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and forgave sins. He also taught his disciples about the kingdom of God and how to live in accordance with its values.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become citizens of the kingdom of God. We are brought into a new relationship with God and with each other. We are also given the power to live out the values of the kingdom of God in our own lives and in the world around us.
The kingdom of God is within us:
In Luke 17:22, Jesus says that the kingdom of God is “within you.” This means that the kingdom of God is not just something that is external to us; it is also something that is internal to us.
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in our lives. He guides us, teaches us, and empowers us to live in accordance with the will of God.
The kingdom of God is also within us in the sense that we are made in the image of God. We bear his image and likeness within us. This means that we have the potential to reflect God’s character and to live out his values in the world.
Conclusion:
The kingdom of God is among us and within us. It is the presence of God in the world and in our lives. It is the way that God’s rule and reign is manifested in the world.
As citizens of the kingdom of God, we are called to live out its values in our own lives and in the world around us. We are called to love God and love our neighbors. We are called to be peacemakers and to work for justice. We are called to be a light to the world and to reflect the love of God to all people.
Additional thoughts:
The Greek word for “among” in Luke 17:21 is entos, which can also be translated as “within.” This suggests that the kingdom of God is both among us and within us.
The Greek word for “within” in Luke 17:22 is entos. This is the same word that is used in Luke 17:21 for “among.” This suggests that the kingdom of God is both among us and within us.
In other words, the kingdom of God is not just something that is external to us; it is also something that is internal to us. It is the presence of God in the world and in our lives.
I believe that the kingdom of God is something that is both inward and outward, both spiritual and physical. It is the way that God’s rule and reign is manifested in the world.
As citizens of the kingdom of God, we are called to live out its values in our own lives and in the world around us. We are called to be a light to the world and to reflect the love of God to all people.
