Wednesday Devo

Read Luke 17:20-37. There are many hard things to understand in this passage but a few are very clear. Jesus has taught his disciples to pray, "Let thy kingdom come and they will be done." Jesus here says that his kingdom is "within you" or some versions say, "among you." Jesus came and brought the kingdom. It is an important thing to pray, "let thy kingdom come" it is equally important to pray, "Lord what would it look like if your kingdom came to my life, home, school, work place?" 

I think part of the focus of the first two verses is that the kingdom of God is not just going to come but it is within us - meaning it is our responsibility to help set it up. The Pharisees who kept questioning Jesus were looking for a king on a white horse leading and army to set up the kingdom and they personally expected to be held in high honor. Jesus challenges them with the truth that the Father doesn't just "set up" the kingdom - He involves us as co-laborers. That is proven in part by how Jesus teaches us to pray for the kingdom to come. The very act of praying is co-laboring with God to set it up. (for more study on the Kingdom - click "kingdom" for a look at every verse in Luke that uses the word."

To understand the rest of this passage we must keep in mind the kingdom came with Jesus the first time - continues to come and will one day come in full. We are encouraged by Jesus to seek first the kingdom of God. It is something we can find to some degree in this life. Almost like seeking out a real kingdom and a palace. With God we can discover much of his kingdom in this life like journeying around a kingdom's palace in the countryside. There we discover many beautiful and inviting things but the most glories riches are at the palace. The palace and full culmination will be entered by those who give their life to Christ - heaven!

questions

1) what did you learn about the kingdom in this passage?

2) what did you learn about the day(s) of the Lord in this passage?

3) what does it mean for you personally to be a co-laborer with the Lord?

prayer