Principles of the Kingdom of God The kingdom of God is a concept which runs through the teaching of Jesus. It is the spiritual and economic rule under which Jesus and his disciples live. The importance of an ‘economy of salvation’ in Luke will become clearer as we consider the topic of ‘Salvation’ and ‘Rich and poor’. The principles of the Kingdom of God in the teaching of Jesus provide an overarching framework under which Jesus and his disciples operate. The principles of love, generosity and mercy are pre-requisites for becoming sons of the Most High (Luke 6 vs. 35-36)- Jesus’ disciples are taught not to be vengeful or spiteful. Giving, yielding, lending, passing by the desire to judge (6 vs. 27-42): these are actions which demonstrate another rule is at work and different principles are operating to the normal type of career path. These principles do not come naturally- they have to be taught and lived out. Jesus assumes two things in teaching them. Firstly, that he knows God’s will, and secondly that he is able to identify whether this is being followed. Thus he addresses his disciples directly, and particularly, as those living under his rule: ‘Blessed are you who are poor for yours is the Kingdom of God’, 6v.20. Their voluntary poverty and association with suffering and difficulty does in the immediate term result in a blessed or happy life. (Notice the present tense here). By contrast it is future woe that is announced for those who receive the comforts and status of the present day (vs. 24-26). The Kingdom of God is neither presently among them nor will it be so. A present life that not only says what is right (vs.43-45), but also does what is right (v.46) becomes in the future established and unshakeable (vs. 48-49). Spiritual warfare and the Kingdom A pre-requisite of Jesus’ Kingdom mission programme in Luke is the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. This has a clear purpose as the experience is outworked in spiritual confrontation. After his baptism, and prior to this desert experience Luke records Jesus as being ‘full of the Holy Spirit’ (4 v.1). He is then tempted by the devil in the desert and emerges from the desert ‘in the power of the Holy Spirit’ (v.14). During the trial there is a hint of Jesus’ coming Kingdom proclamation. This occurs in the devil’s second temptation (4 vs. 5-7) in which Jesus is offered the kingdoms of the world in exchange for bowing down and worshipping the devil. This also offers insight into both the scope of the devil’s rule which extends to the ‘kingdoms of this world’, and its nature which is more political and focused upon the present. Although the political element is far from absent in Jesus’ ministry, his notion of the Kingdom is directed more towards the eschatological i.e. God’s rule over all time (see Luke 21). Luke’s particular focus on the Holy Spirit is also seen in his treatment and placement of Jesus’ teaching on prayer (Luke 11 vs. 1-13). Importunate asking, seeking and knocking is said to result in the giving of ‘the Holy Spirit’ in Luke, whereas in Matthew it is ‘good gifts’ (Matt. 7 vs. 7-11). This teaching on prayer is also placed before Jesus’ main discourse on spiritual warfare (11 vs. 14-28), as though these prayers are a necessary experience of equipping for spiritual battle. In chapter 11 Jesus is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub (Satan). The Oxford Bible commentary notes Jesus’ identification of the non sequitur in the argument of his opponents – how can Satan drive out Satan? If this were so it would mean his Kingdom would be divided. These statements made by Jesus are evidence of his awareness of the confused and divided thinking of his opponents. (‘Jesus knew their thoughts’ – v.17). Some are accusing him of using a wrong power source (v.15), others are asking for a sign from heaven (v.16). Jesus’ thinking does not contain this division between the visible sign and the unseen power source. He drives out demons by the finger of God, an unseen power source, which results in visible signs. Overall, these two elements are a single and undivided manifestation of the Kingdom of God (v.20). A real and undivided power source produces a real, tangible and unmistakable result. By contrast the underlying beliefs of his opponents about the divided nature of Jesus’ ministry will result in division in their own ranks (v.19). Posted by Nick Bensted To take a look at Nicks' courses go to Courses and then click on: More RE courses.



