“The kingdom of God is God’s reign breaking into the world through Jesus — present now in hidden, transformative ways, and destined to be fully revealed in the future.
The earliest Christians didn’t reinterpret Jesus; they simply lived out what He taught.”
In part two of this teaching, we are going to look into the all-important issue of: “…the kingdom of God is in you.”
My understanding of this statement, as I have gone to some length to explain, is that the Kingdom of God was ‘in’ Jesus and Jesus was ‘within’ the midst of the discussion with the Pharisees.
In this teaching, we will learn how the kingdom is transferred from Jesus to you and me
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus during His stay on earth and departure from it were monumental.
Why do I say this?
- The Spirit of the almighty God, creator of the heavens and earth, entered the womb of a human woman. Mary. From His singularly unique moment, a human grew in that blessed womb.[1]
- A Son, who was named Jesus, was born to a young virgin. He never had any formal theological training. His only activity was that of a carpenter. His Father’s occupation. Yet for all this, Jesus at the age of 30 went out to preach the Gospel of His Father – God, in the form of ‘The Kingdom of God.’
“In Jewish culture during the first century CE, the age of thirty held particular significance. It was considered an appropriate time for a man to begin a public ministry or leadership role. Ancient Jewish tradition placed considerable emphasis on wisdom and experience gained through age, making the age of thirty a benchmark for spiritual and social responsibilities. Additionally, this was the age at which Levites (the priestly class) began their temple service, further emphasizing its importance.”[2]
Unlike teachers of the day, signs and wonders followed his ministry. He shared his gift with twelve men and a group of women.
- But this was not the sole purpose of his life. His primary purpose was to participate in an ancient tradition established by God, His Father.[3] [4] His blood was shed on a cross until he was dead. His spilt blood, as in the days of old, compensated for all the sins of humans in their past and future. It was on God’s altar inside Jesus that the final sacrifice was made for all humankind.
- Lastly, he rose again from the tomb of death and gave His Spirit to all those who believed in him. How did he do this? He prayed for His followers for all time:
- “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.” (This scripture brought a huge change to me in my understanding of God, Jesus, and all those who believe.)
The key for all those of us who wish to grow in God and live in power.
In Part One of this teaching last month, I left off with the following:
Was the kingdom “in” Jesus? Absolutely. Jesus repeatedly describes Himself as the one in whom God’s reign is fully present.
In John 17, He says things like:
- “All I have is Yours, and Yours is Mine.”
- “You have given Him authority over all flesh.”
- “I have manifested Your name.”
So yes: the kingdom was “in” Jesus because the King was in Jesus.
Did Jesus transfer that kingdom reality to you and me?
Here’s where John 17 becomes astonishing.
Jesus says:
- “The glory You have given Me, I have given them.”
- “As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
- “I in them, and You in Me.”
This is not poetic fluff.
It’s Jesus describing a real spiritual transfer of:
- mission
- authority
- relationship
- presence
In other words:
What the Father was doing in Jesus, Jesus now continues through His followers.
This is exactly how we, the church, should understand it.
So is it fair to say the kingdom moved from Jesus to you and me?
Here’s the most accurate way to say it:
✔ The kingdom was embodied in Jesus.
✔ After His ascension, the kingdom is embodied in His people through the Spirit.
✔ The kingdom didn’t leave Jesus — it extends through His followers.
It’s not a transfer away from Jesus.
It’s a transfer through Jesus.
Consider:
- The Father reigns through the Son.
- The Son reigns through the Spirit.
- The Spirit reigns through the church.
Same kingdom – Same King – New vessels.
Love and blessings
Peter-James