Lately, I’ve been reading and watching the renowned theologian N.T. Wright as much as my brain will let me without exploding. I’m pondering the implications of what Jesus meant when he told us to pray,
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Some would have us believe God’s kingdom comes when Christians gain positions of political power, take over cultural spheres of influence, Christianize entire nations, and rule society for Jesus.
But consider what Jesus says in John 18:36,
“My kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus said. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
A few metaphors from Matthew 13 which Jesus used to describe his kingdom:
- Seed scattered in a field, sprouting and growing alongside weeds (13:24-30)
- A tiny mustard seed which grows into a large tree (13:31-32)
- Leaven mixed into flour, causing the whole loaf to rise (13:33)
- A valuable pearl, worth selling everything for (13:44-46)
- A net cast into the sea, catching both good and bad fish (13:47-50)
These metaphors depict a subtle, invisible power at work causing a quiet but radical change from the inside out.
They paint a picture of what followers of Jesus experience and demonstrate as they live out kingdom values—a shift in priorities, life-transforming influence, and solid, trust-based patience with the “not yet” part of the “already/not yet” tension of faith.
How does the kingdom show up in our regular, ordinary, daily life?
Maybe like this:
Recently, I visited a local government office to set up an appointment. In the waiting area sat a machine with signs on it offering instructions on how to obtain a ticket to secure a place in line.
I found the instructions confusing and asked the man behind the desk for help. He explained things better. I got my ticket and sat down.
Ironically, the couple who came in behind me got their spot in line before me, which meant I had to wait another fifteen minutes.
Normally—and I hate to admit this—I might have silently fumed while mindlessly scrolling on my phone. But I decided to wait calmly and patiently instead.
After a few minutes, another lady came in, walked over to the machine, and stared at the bewildering instructions in dismay.
The man behind the desk had disappeared, so I went over and showed the woman how to get the ticket she needed. She thanked me with sincerity and obvious relief.
I sat back down with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.
I saw this woman. I was able to meet her need because I decided to be present instead of giving in to carnal distractions.
Please understand—this was more than a self-congratulatory, feel-good moment. It was not a random act of kindness.
It was a deliberate choice to submit to the King of the kingdom of which I am a citizen—a choice which brought that kingdom to a small government office waiting room for one moment of one ordinary day.
This is how it works, beloved. Like a bit of leaven raising a whole loaf. Like a tiny seed sprouting into something big, beautiful, and beneficial.
As followers of Jesus, we bring the kingdom to earth not by insisting on political power, titles, and rights, but by behaving like our King.
We bring the kingdom by putting others before ourselves. By choosing to be present, available agents of an invisible, eternal reality. By joyfully accepting that many rewards come later, not now.
Let’s keep praying, “Your kingdom come.”
And let’s participate in the answer to that prayer by copying the character of Jesus.
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Photo by Perry Stevens on Unsplash
