How many times have you read the words, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God” and wondered how that could be, since all those who were standing there when Jesus said these, died long before His return?
ME TOO! Questions like this can give one pause and even shake their faith. Let it not be so with you, my friend. Hold tight to the faith given you and trust that God will supply answers when you are best ready to receive them.
As I read these words again this morning, it was like He shone a spotlight on them for me.
Please understand, this is not the result of a long theological education, it’s just me and Jesus working through His Word day by day and today I understand this:
Jesus was not talking about the Messianic kingdom when He returns and resets the world. He wasn’t talking about Heaven, either.
He was talking about HIMSELF.
Jesus had just asked who His followers said He was and Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God. He went on to explain that He would have to suffer so many things from rejection to death at the hands of those who were supposedly looking for Him.
Jesus explained the cost of being His disciple/follower—denial of self, bearing a cross that was likely too heavy to carry, and following Him come what may.
Then He said that SOME of those hearing Him speak those words would not die before they saw the Kingdom of God.
Throughout Luke’s writing, He records Jesus as telling the religious leaders that the Kingdom of God was near.
HE was near.
Some of those who walked with Him would realize that HE was the kingdom of God
standing in their midst
before they died.
Others would not.
It doesn’t negate any other scripture.
It enlightens and explains.
Oh, that we would see the Kingdom of God that is Christ Jesus!
Oh, that we would recognize Him as that Kingdom with no end!
Oh, that we would serve Him, obey Him, and usher more people into that Kingdom!
Let’s grasp this truth today. Let’s let our faith be strengthened through understanding the Word. Let’s live that faith out for others to see. Let’s love one another and welcome those who don’t know Jesus into Him, His Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is near. It is Jesus.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
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