Building the Kingdom of God; The Kingdom travels with you.

May 15

Read: Luke 10:9-11

Building the Kingdom of God;

The Kingdom travels with you.

“Heal the sick in it and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’” - Jesus (Luke 10:9-11)

The Kingdom of God comes near IN YOU. You “carry it” with you wherever you go… no matter what. It comes near when you come near. Jesus says so. This doesn’t mean it is always “welcomed” or “received”. We see this in Jesus’ instruction. Some people don’t want the Kingdom of God… they will not welcome it. That is ok. You have Jesus’ permission to knock the dust off and move on. You don’t need to force the issue… no need to argue or try to manipulate the people of the town. The Kingdom of God is NOT coercive.

You cannot really separate the Kingdom of God in this world from the people of God. They are fused together. This means that wherever the people of God are found the Kingdom of God is found there as well. This is how God has chosen to expand his Kingdom in this world, by entrusting it to his people. Another way that the bible talks about this truth is by calling us “salt and light”:

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:13-16)

Likewise, Jesus himself is called “the light”

“In him (Jesus/ the Word) was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” (John 1:4,9-10)

The Kingdom traveling in us is like the light and life of Christ traveling in us and with us as well. The people of God carry the light into the darkness of this world… into the darkness of the enemies empire… his “domain of darkness”. (cf. Col 1:13) This is how God is bringing the light and life of Christ into every part of the world: by sending out his people into the world! This is how the Kingdom of God is expanding on this earth and pushing back against the “gates of Hell” and the agenda of the evil one: By God calling a people to himself, redeeming them through Christ, empowering them by his indwelling presence, and sending them out to be salt, light, and Kingdom bearers/ambassadors in this world. he is doing this THROUGH US.

Every situation you enter into … every person you meet… you are carrying with you the very essence of the Kingdom of God. When you show up in the darkness… you bring the light WITH YOU. Jesus - The King of Kings and Lord of Lords - is building his people … his “church”… and the “gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” :

“…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 16:18,19)

You have been given the “keys to the Kingdom” in Christ Jesus. You have been called and made new… righteous… set apart… holy. You have been entrusted with the “light and life” of mankind. Our actions on this earth have heavenly ramifications… and vice versa. (cf. “the keys… what you bind” above) This is God’s plan to bring light into the dark, to bring the Kingdom into this world, to build his unstoppable church. Remember this today: Wherever you go, the Kingdom goes with you! Love you guys. - JDP