Your Kingdom Come

Jesus’ resurrection helps us believe Jesus’ teachings.  Jesus taught us about a Kingdom that God is building, with Jesus as the King.  Jesus is not just any King.  He is the King above all kings.

On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. (Revelation 19:16 NLT)

Like with any kingdom, there is a struggle between good and evil, with enemies and allies.  While we see signs of the enemy in the world around us, we don’t see the actual enemy.  That’s because people are not our enemy.  The Enemy is our enemy and people are taken captive by the Enemy to do his will.

One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. "Come with me," he said, "and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality."

A mysterious name was written on her forehead: "Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World." I could see that she was drunk--drunk with the blood of God's holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement.

The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because He is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And His called and chosen and faithful ones will be with Him." (Revelation 17:1-2, 5-6, 12-14 NLT)

A cataclysmic war is going on in the spiritual realm.  Jesus, the King of Kings, is leading his troops into battle.  He has called all of us to join Him.  He has chosen us to win the war with Him.  The only question is whether we will be faithful to Him.  That is the decision left into our hands.  The war wages on.  The battles have begun.  Which side will we choose to join?  Jesus taught us how to join the battle with Jesus as our King.  He taught us to pray…

…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

How about you?  Do you allow Jesus to be your King?  Are you among the faithful?  Do you pray to God, “Your Kingdom come?”

Another Reason to Let Jesus Be King

Jesus regularly spoke of God’s Kingdom.  The model prayer he gave us says, “Your Kingdom come…”  When Jesus was about to die, he told his closest followers that the would be a part of His Kingdom.

"You have stayed with Me in My time of trial. And just as My Father has granted Me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:28-30 NLT)

Jesus never backed down when asked about being a King and having a Kingdom.  Remember what he said to Pilate when he was on trial for “claiming to be a king?”

Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My Kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36 NLT)

When he was about to die, two criminals were crucified right next to him – one on the right and another on the left.  One spoke with anger against Jesus, telling him to save all of them.  The other reacted with fear and repentance for his sin.  Do you remember what happened next?

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43 NIV)

Jesus didn’t just offer Kingdom membership to the twelve and the criminal next to him who repented.  He spoke to all of us about being a part of His Kingdom.   Remember the story about the Son of Man (Christ) becoming king?

"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me.' (Matthew 25:31-36 NLT)

When Jesus arose from the dead, he confirmed all of his talk about God’s Kingdom, our invitation to join, and Him (Jesus) being the King.

How about you?  Do you see all the Kingdom language that Jesus used to describe what God is building?  Have you accepted the invitation from Jesus to join the Kingdom?  Do you allow Jesus to be your King?

Another Reason to Thank God

When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, he gave us yet another reason to thank God, too.  You see, his resurrection confirmed God’s reason for his death.  Jesus died like a criminal, but he was not a criminal.  He died like one who had rebelled against God, but he never rebelled against God.  Jesus’ death was different from any other death.  Jesus’ part was different from any other part of God’s plan.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

When Jesus died, though, we weren’t exactly thanking God.  That’s because all those closest to Jesus saw him die.  They thought that their friend, their teacher, their Messiah and King, was dead…and he was.  When he rose from the dead, though, they would learn the reason for his death.

And He said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.' (Luke 24:46-47 NLT)

Jesus arose from the dead, explained the reason for his death, and gave us another reason to thank God.

How about you?  Do you see the reason for Jesus’ death?  Does his resurrection and explanation help you see more of God’s plan?  Does it give you another reason to thank God?

Another Reason to Trust God

Jesus clearly didn’t want to die.  His followers saw that.  They were with them as he prayed for the Father to let this “cup” pass.  But Jesus, the son, trusted the Father and put it all into His hands.  “Let not my will, but yours be done.”  When Jesus rose from the dead, it reminded all the disciples that they can trust God and His plans.  God gives us everything we need to do what God calls us to do.  When Jesus died, the saw that in action.  When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, they had more reasons to trust God than ever before.

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:22-31 ESV)

Trust in God becomes vitally important in Kingdom living.  We don’t do well in His Kingdom if we don’t trust the King.  Jesus showed us what happens when we trust the King.  The plan works.  People are saved.  Captives are set free.  Good News is preached to the poor.  The King is perfect: good, right, holy, and fair.  More than that, The King showers with love and grace.  All the while, the King makes sure that we have what we need to do what the King calls us to do.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:32-34 ESV)

How about you?  Do you trust God to provide what you need to do what God calls you to do?  Does it build your trust to see God’s faithfulness with and through Jesus? Do you trust God as your King?

Confirmed what the Scriptures Said

There’s more to the Old Testament Scriptures than just the writings of the prophets.  Historical books, like Kings or Chronicles, tell us the flow of historical events.  Wisdom books, for example, like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are attributed to King Solomon.  The Song of Solomon is more poetry or a stage-play.  The Psalms were written as lyrics to music.  All of these are included in the Scriptures.  All of these are inspired by God. 

Jesus talked to the men on the road to Emmaus and explained, from the Prophets, how the Messiah was supposed to die and then rise from the dead.  They finally realized that it was Jesus speaking to them right before he disappeared.  They rushed back to the others to tell them what had happened.

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus Himself was suddenly standing there among them. "Peace be with you," He said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! "Why are you frightened?" He asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at My hands. Look at My feet. You can see that it's really Me. Touch Me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do." As He spoke, He showed them His hands and His feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then He asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He ate it as they watched. (Luke 24:36-43 NLT)

None of his followers were easily convinced.  All of them had seen Jesus die.  Al of them were mourning his loss.  None of them expected Jesus to come back to life.  Jesus took the time that they needed to be convinced.  Then, he showed them how the Scriptures had predicted these events.

Then He said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45 NLT)

Jesus’ resurrection didn’t just confirm what he said about himself.  His death and resurrection didn’t just confirm what the prophets said about him for hundreds, even thousands, of years before.  His death and resurrection confirmed what all the Scriptures said about the Christ, the Messiah, the King.  Remember when Jesus was hanging on the cross and he called out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  Well, he was pointing his hearers straight to a Psalm that they would have known and sung.

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune "Doe of the Dawn." My God, my God, why have You abandoned me? Why are You so far away when I groan for help? (Psalms 22:1 NLT)

My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. (Psalms 22:16-18 NLT)

I will proclaim Your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise You among your assembled people. Praise the LORD, all you who fear Him! Honor Him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show Him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned His back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. (Psalms 22:22-24 NLT)

I will praise You in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship You. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the LORD will praise Him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to Him. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations. (Psalms 22:25-28 NLT)

How about you?  Do you see that Jesus’ death and resurrection confirmed what the Scriptures said?  Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the King?

Confirmed what Prophets Said

When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, he confirmed his message just like every other prophet. Prophets from God must have some kind of sign, wonder, or short term prediction that they offer up.  This way, people can know that the prophet is bringing a message from God.

"But you may wonder, 'How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD?' If the prophet speaks in the LORD's name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the LORD did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without My authority and need not be feared. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22 NLT)

Jesus offered only on sign to confirm that his message was from God.

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40 ESV)

Jesus needed to die and, three days later, rise again.  This was the sign he had offered.  When he rose from the dead, he confirmed his message as true prophecy sent from God.  He wasn’t only confirming what he had said, though, to confirm his message.  His resurrection also confirmed what the prophets said about about the Messiah, the Christ who was to come.  He needed to explain this to his disciples again after he was alive.

Then Jesus said to them, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?" Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:25-27 NLT)

Jesus’ resurrection confirmed what he had said about himself.  Jesus’ resurrection confirmed what the prophets said about the Messiah (the Christ).

How about you? Do you believe “all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures?”  Do you believe that Jesus’ message was from God?  Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ?

Confirmed what Jesus Said

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:1-3 NLT)

We know that Jesus was really dead because the soldiers pierced his side to confirm it.  Blood and water flowed.  We know that his followers believed he was dead because of their actions.  They were showing up at the tomb to prepare his body with spices.  They went to prepare a dead body.  Instead, they found it missing.

As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day." (Luke 24:4-7 NLT)

Angelic messengers were definitely not in their plans for the morning.  Clearly something unusual was going on.  The ladies found his body missing, messengers saying he was alive, and then a reminder that the Son of Man would rise again on the third day.

Then they remembered that He had said this. (Luke 24:8 NLT)

Jesus’ resurrection has many implications and connections.  The most obvious one is this: Jesus’ resurrection confirmed what Jesus said.   He told his followers that he would betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and he was.  He told them that he would be crucified and die and, once again, he was.  Finally, he told them he would rise again on the third day and he did.  Jesus, like any true prophet, gave short-term predictions that were right 100% of the time.

How about you?  Do you see how his resurrection confirmed what he said?  Does this build your faith in the rest of what Jesus said?