The first word spoken by Jesus in Mark’s gospel is, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15).
The second petition in the Lord’s Prayer is, “May your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10).
Passages like those found in Isaiah 32 help us understand why people readily responded to Jesus’ teaching about the arrival of God’s kingdom on earth.
See, a king will reign in righteousness,
and princes will rule with justice.
Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
a covert from the tempest,
like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. (Isaiah 32:1-2)
The righteous and just government that God intends for humanity is as refreshing as cover from the wind, streams of water in the desert, and shade for the weary.
For a significant portion of Jesus’ ministry, the kingdom looked similar to Isaiah’s prophecy. The arrest and crucifixion of Jesus certainly troubled those who were looking for the fulfillment of God’s rule as pictured by the prophet.
Modern day wars, poverty, economic inequities, and oppression cause people to relegate God’s kingdom to the realm of religion while primarily viewing world events through secular lens.
There are two parts to human response to Jesus’ kingdom of God proclamation. We are to repent, changing our minds about what is really important and who is in the ultimate control of history.
In addition, we are called to believe the good news. The presence of God’s kingdom is good news, but it takes the eyes of faith to see it amid the chaos of current world events.
God’s Good Government
When people suffer under leaders who exist to serve themselves discover the goodness of God’s government, they will rejoice.
A fool will no longer be called noble
nor a villain said to be honorable.
For fools speak folly,
and their minds plot iniquity:
to practice ungodliness,
to utter error concerning the Lord,
to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied,
and to deprive the thirsty of drink.
The villainies of villains are evil;
they devise wicked devices
to ruin the poor with lying words,
even when the plea of the needy is right. (Isaiah 32:5-7)
The biblical understanding of a fool is someone who believes there will be no accountability for their actions. They have crooked minds that produce ungodly actions. They devise evil that deprives the needy and brings the poor to ruin.
God’s kingdom transforms desolation caused by sin, selfishness, and dishonesty into a peaceful habitation.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:16-18)
The best way to understand God’s justice and righteousness is to observe Jesus.
Dr. Frank Laubach used to wake up at 3:00 AM. He devoted from 3:00 to 5:00 for Bible reading and prayer. After that, he would take a nap before starting his day.
Laubach’s primary text was the Gospels. He never tired from reading these passages and talking to Jesus about them.
We might not have two hours a day to read and pray, and many would shy away from Laubach’s 3:00 to 5:00 AM prayer time. However, we all would greatly benefit from reading the Gospels and discovering what justice and righteousness looks like according to Jesus.
The results of God’s kingdom qualities of justice and righteousness produces peace, faith, and security.
These thoughts should inspire us to fervently pray, “May your kingdom come.”
Real Voices 