17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and
said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will
they say 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God
is within you.
We see here the Pharisees falling into
the same misconception that most of the Jews had at the time, that
the Messiah would bring forth the kingdom of God as a governmental
entity on the earth. Jesus responds, that it won't be something to
be observed and pointed out. It is not a political cause to join, not
army to overthrow the oppressors (John 18:36), but the kingdom of God
is within you.
Like happened (and still happens) so
many times, Jesus has subverted expectations and exposed assumptions.
Jesus points out that the question is a category error, similar to
asking weather hope is heavier purple. “The kingdom of God is
within you.” It is not a kingdom built upon a realm and a palace,
but a kingdom built in the heart of mankind. “Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Where in all
creation is the primary place that the will of God is not done? Isn't
it in the human heart? From this lone area of rebellion spreads the
vast majority of evil we encounter.
It is this very bastion of rebellion
that is under siege by the kingdom of God. Our very hearts and lives
are infiltrated by the Spirit. The Helper, who convicts us of
grievances against the will of God. The Spirit who begins to make
inroads of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
gentleness, and self-control, until they have fully grown. And like
fruit on a tree, it can seem like no progress is being made day by
day. There is no point at which can be said “See here!” or “See
there!” But in time it comes to full fruition. The Spirit has
invaded and conquered! “The wind blows where it wishes, and you
hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where
it goes.”
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