devotional post #2019

Luke 17:20-25

Luk 17:20 Having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed,
Luk 17:21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ Because really, the kingdom of God is already in your midst.”
Luk 17:22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will want to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
Luk 17:23 At that time, people will say to you, ‘Look, there he is!’ or ‘Look, here he is!’ Do not go out or chase after them.
Luk 17:24 Because just like the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, the Son of Man will be like that in his day.
Luk 17:25 But first he will have to suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

already, but not yet

Jesus had proclaimed a kingdom, but the Pharisees did not see Jesus reigning over that kingdom, so they asked when that was going to happen. Jesus’ answer to them was that the kingdom was already in their midst, in the presence of Jesus himself.

He also used this opportunity to explain to his disciples that there would be a long period of time when he would not be physically present, and they should not expect him to be hiding somewhere. When he is ready to return, his return will be obvious, just like lightning flashing and lighting up the sky — not a secret.

But first, he has a job to do. His appointment in Jerusalem was not to wear a crown, but to bear a cross — for us.

LORD, we trust in your kingdom, because we have already submitted to the authority of its king.