Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (Posted each Monday, Wednesday and Friday) as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series.
From Luke 17:20-37, let’s reflect on the past, present and future nature of The Kingdom of God.
You can listen to this devotional below (It’s also available on Spotify on the Community Church Putney podcast)
‘Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”’ (Luke 17:20-37)
We’ve already considered what Jesus meant by The Kingdom of God and how it is in our midst. Today, I want us to think, very briefly, about the past, present and future aspects of The Kingdom coming.
The past coming of the Kingdom
In Jesus, during His earthly ministry, the King and Kingdom was present in a very special way. When people saw Jesus and His ministry, they were seeing God The King at work, and they were experiencing a foretaste of the Kingdom coming in its fulness. This is why He told those who questioned Him about the coming of The Kingdom, ‘“…the kingdom of God is in your midst.”’ (Luke 17:21)
The present coming of the Kingdom
Not only was the kingdom present in Jesus and His ministry, He is also in our midst right now. The King and Kingdom are present realities to be entered and experienced today. Right now each of us can receive the King and, by so doing, enter the Kingdom now and for ever! Right now we are to be led by The Spirit into ministering in Jesus’ name. We are to help people to experience and enter the Kingdom. Through us, the ministry of the King is to be incarnated.
The future coming of the Kingdom
Finally, the Kingdom of God is also yet to come—it will be fully realised when Christ returns. Jesus describes His return with vivid imagery: “The Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other” (Luke 17:24). Just as lightning is real, powerful, and unmistakable, so will the coming of Jesus be undeniable to all.
He further compares His return to the days of Noah and Lot. In both instances, people carried on with life as usual, unaware of the judgment about to unfold. Similarly, Jesus' return will come unexpectedly, bringing both salvation and judgment. This serves as a sobering reminder to live in readiness, and also an inspiration to seek to bring others to Jesus, knowing that His coming will bring the Kingdom in all its fullness—a time of Judgment and justice, and also a time of renewal, as the reign of Christ comes to all creation.
So, today, let’s reflect on whether we are living in readiness of Jesus’ coming? Are we, as many in the days of Noah and lot, caught up with important but not ultimate things? Are we seeking to ‘keep [our] life’ - live for ourselves and this world, whist failing to ‘lose it’ - live for Christ - and so gain true and eternal life? Is our faith in Christ being exhibited by worship and waiting for Jesus? May we be caught up with the vision that is promised:‘
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”’ (Revelation 11:15)
Let’s pray together as we finish
“Lord Jesus, I give myself again to you as my present, but also coming King. Help me to live in readiness for your coming. Use me to help others who are focussed on the things of this life, to turn to you and find life in you. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday, in our message from Luke 17:20-37, we reflected on what the Kingdom is, how it’s already present, and how the Kingdom will come in its fullness.
Please read Luke Luke 17:20-37 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
What does it mean for you to be "prepared" for the return of Christ?
How can you cultivate a greater sense of urgency in your spiritual life?
What specific steps can you take today to live more intentionally in light of the return of Christ?
How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence and guidance in your daily life?
What areas of your life need to be surrendered to God's will?
How can you use your time and resources to further the Kingdom of God?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus; alternatively, pray for the ‘people of peace’ that you regularly meet with.
Let’s pray together: Pray for one another out of our study together and for anything else for which people would like prayer.
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