Inspiring Verse of The Day - The Kingdom of God is among you

GOSPEL of Luke 17:20-25

✠ The Kingdom of God is among you.

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,

Jesus said in reply,

“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,

and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’

For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

Then he said to his disciples,

   “The days will come when you will long to see

   one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

There will be those who will say to you,

   ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’

Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.

For just as lightning flashes

   and lights up the sky from one side to the other,

   so will the Son of Man be in his day.

But first, he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

COMMENTARY:

In Luke 17:20-25, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and His disciples, discussing the nature of God’s kingdom and His second coming. Here’s a breakdown of the main points and themes in this passage:

"The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed" (verse 20):

 Jesus tells the Pharisees that the kingdom of God doesn’t come with visible signs or dramatic displays. This challenged the expectation many had of a political or earthly kingdom that would overthrow oppressive powers like Rome. Instead, Jesus suggests that God’s kingdom is spiritual and operates on a different plane from human power structures.

"The kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (verse 21): 

Jesus reveals that the kingdom of God is already present, "in your midst." Since Jesus Himself is the embodiment of God’s kingdom and His presence signifies God’s reign, this statement suggests that the kingdom is present wherever God’s will is followed, beginning within the hearts of those who believe.

"The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it" (verse 22): 

Addressing His disciples, Jesus hints that there will be a time of longing for His presence, referring to the period after His ascension when they will desire His return. This introduces the idea of a delay in His second coming, which would be a period of waiting and testing for the early Church and future believers.

"They will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them" (verse 23): 

Jesus warns against false prophets or claims about His coming. His followers should not be distracted by rumors, false sightings, or imposters. This verse cautions against chasing after external signs, urging believers to remain grounded in faith rather than being led astray by sensational claims.

"For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day" (verse 24): 

Jesus contrasts the hidden, spiritual nature of the kingdom in His first coming with the unmistakable glory of His second coming. When He returns, it will be a clear, undeniable event, like lightning illuminating the entire sky. This promises that His return will be sudden, visible, and transformative.

"But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation" (verse 25): 

Jesus underscores that His path to glory goes through suffering and rejection. This foreshadows His impending crucifixion, showing that the kingdom’s establishment requires His sacrifice. This suffering is a central part of God’s plan, and Jesus' willingness to endure it exemplifies His commitment to humanity’s redemption.

Summary

In these verses, Jesus corrects misunderstandings about the kingdom of God. It is not a physical kingdom defined by borders or politics but a spiritual reign that begins in the hearts of believers. The kingdom is already present through Jesus’ work, yet it will only reach its fullness at His second coming. He also prepares His followers for the reality of suffering and delay, reminding them to stand firm and not be swayed by false claims. Ultimately, this passage encourages believers to embrace the kingdom in their lives now while anticipating the promised, glorious return of Christ.