The Kingdom of God: The Great Message of Jesus
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Jun 25
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 1
A Study Guide on the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
🌿 A Wonderful Announcement About the Kingdom
In the depths of a divided world—where human governments struggle for power, and people struggle in the darkness of hopelessness—a calm and authoritative voice was heard from Galilee:
"The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).
This was an unexpected announcement. While many expected the Messiah to be a warrior ready to bring about political change, Jesus appeared in a most extraordinary way—preaching a Kingdom not based on the sword but on forgiveness, not ruled by force but by love, not built on hatred but on justice and mercy.
This kingdom could not be understood in earthly terms. Was it only future? Was it only heavenly? No—it was a present invitation for humanity to live under God’s rule in a completely new way.
🚨 The Challenge of Understanding the Kingdom
First-century Jews had expected that the Kingdom of God would come through political and military means—through a Messiah who would defeat the Romans and restore the Davidic kingdom (Isaiah 52:7). But Jesus completely changed this direction by showing that the Kingdom would come not through weapons but through forgiveness, reconciliation, and self-sacrificing love. This was a new and surprising interpretation of God’s plan that was fulfilled through the life and ministry of Jesus.
When Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come” (Matthew 4:17), he declared that God had begun to rule here and now through his life and work. According to Luke 4:18–19, Jesus saw his ministry as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1–2—preaching the good news, healing the brokenhearted, and setting the oppressed free. According to NT Wright, the signs of healing the sick (Matthew 8:16–17), forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5), and fellowship with the outcast (Matthew 9:10–13) showed that the kingdom had already entered human history (Jesus and the Victory of God, pp. 202–205). Thus, the kingdom of God is not just a future dream but a present reality manifested in the mercy, redemption, and reconciliation offered through Jesus.
Therefore, the Kingdom of God was a challenge to:
Religion of the time: The Pharisees focused on righteousness through strict obedience to the Torah, separating themselves from all who were considered unclean or lacking in religious righteousness. But Jesus, guided by the Father’s mercy, embraced the outcasts of society—tax collectors, prostitutes, and the sick—calling them to repentance and new life in the Kingdom (Matthew 9:11-13; Luke 5:31-32). This was a unique interpretation of holiness: not separating from the world, but bringing the world to God.
Politics of the time: The Roman system was built on fear, military might, and obedience to Caesar. But Jesus came as the Prince of Peace (John 18:36), proclaiming a kingdom not of this world—a kingdom not based on the sword but on the cross; not established by taxes and political conquest but by justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation (Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 9:6-7).
In NT Wright's words, Jesus declared that the true reign of God had entered the midst of human history—but not in the way they thought but in a surprising way (How God Became King, p. 70).
⚡ The Gospel of the Kingdom of God Among the Different Perspectives of the Jews
What exactly is the Kingdom of God according to Jesus, and how did it contradict or agree with the views of the Jews of his time?
Different Views of the Kingdom: Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Essenes, and Others
In the first century, Jews had different perspectives on the meaning of the Kingdom of God, each group reflecting its own expectations, beliefs, and vision of how God would intervene in Israel's history.
The Pharisees emphasized strict obedience to the Torah as the means to bring about the Kingdom of God, believing that national purification would achieve God's victory over the nations (Matthew 23:23; Luke 18:9-14).
The Sadducees believed that the Kingdom was within current religious institutions; they did not await the coming of the Messiah or the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8).
The Zealots wanted to establish the Kingdom of God through armed revolution against the Romans, expecting a military Messiah (John 6:15).
The Essenes separated themselves from society, living in the wilderness awaiting the Kingdom of righteousness through God's judgment of the wicked and the victory of their spiritual group (Matthew 3:7-12).
Ordinary Jews expected the coming of a Messiah from the line of David who would bring political and economic liberation as a golden age for Israel (Luke 24:21).
✨ Jesus and His Amazing Kingdom Message
Jesus came with a message of the Kingdom of God that agreed with some aspects, but shattered many of their expectations. He declared that the Kingdom does not come through weapons or law alone but through repentance, mercy, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:15; Matthew 12:28).
Tim Mackie explains that the Kingdom of God is “the place where heaven and earth meet through Jesus” (BibleProject, “Kingdom of God”). Jesus is the living temple (John 1:14), the place of God’s presence on earth, fulfilling the promise of restoring creation (Genesis 1-2; Matthew 4:23).
NT Wright explains that the Kingdom is the announcement that God has taken power through Jesus (Jesus and the Victory of God, p. 204), based on Psalm 2 and Daniel 7:13–14 — Jesus is the Son of Man entrusted with eternal authority. Through forgiveness (Matthew 9:6), healing (Matthew 8:17), and eating with the outcasts (Matthew 9:10–13), Jesus proved that the Kingdom had now come.
🔥 Three Fundamental Differences Between Jesus' Kingdom and Religious or Political Expectations
But the people remained confused. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the kingdom of God come?” Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20–21). This showed:
The kingdom is present, not just future. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15), indicating that God’s reign had begun through his ministry (Matthew 12:28).
The kingdom is internal, not just political. Jesus told the Pharisees, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21), emphasizing a change of heart and mind rather than a governmental revolution.
The kingdom is about mercy and repentance, not armed revolution. Jesus called sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32) and taught to love enemies (Matthew 5:44), contrasting expectations of a military Messiah (John 6:15).
Richard Bauckham says that this was "the revelation of God's identity through the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus" (Jesus and the God of Israel, p. 10).
Thus, Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God in an unexpected way—breaking down the political and religious systems of his time and opening the door of grace to all who trusted in God. The Gospels show the tension between the expectations of a political Messiah and the true revelation of a spiritual Messiah revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Bauckham, Jesus and the God of Israel , p. 10).
🌈 New Revelation of the Kingdom: Jesus and God's Amazing Plan
✨ Jesus' Message as the Fulfillment of God's Promises
Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God as the fulfillment of God’s great promises to Israel—of forgiveness, justice, reconciliation, and the restoration of His presence. According to NT Wright, this was the announcement that God had begun to carry out His redemption for Israel and the entire world through Jesus Himself (Jesus and the Victory of God, pp. 205–209).
🪔 Blessed: A New Perspective of the Saints of the Kingdom
Jesus, through the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), revealed a new dimension of the Kingdom of God: he honored the despised, condemned the religious standards that excluded them, and proclaimed forgiveness to the brokenhearted. This was a way of showing that God overturns worldly standards for the sake of his mercy and justice.
The poor in spirit: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3) — a sign that those who are open to God are the heirs of His kingdom.
Hungry for righteousness: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) — people who longed for true change were encouraged to have hope.
Mediators: Blessed are the mediators (Matthew 5:9) — not only reconciliation between people, but also between God and men (2 Corinthians 5:18–19).
🏛️ The True Temple In Christ
Jesus rebuilt the concept of the Temple—not as a stone building but through his flesh (John 2:19–21). In this way, he showed that God now meets with people through him, thus bringing about spiritual restoration (Isaiah 2:2–4).
🔄 Kingdom From Below: Greatness Through Humility
This "Kingdom from the bottom up" paradigm showed that:
True greatness is to be a servant of others (Mark 10:45).
Life is found by surrendering and following the way of the cross (Luke 9:23–24).
God's victory is accomplished by sacrificial love, not by political power (cf. NT Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God , p. 217).
💠 Jesus Breaks Boundaries: Closeness to the Outcasts
According to Thiessen, Jesus' ministry broke down the cultural and ritual walls that separated people who were considered unclean or unfit, by bringing them closer, purifying them, and restoring them to the worshipful fellowship of God's community (Jesus and the Forces of Death, p. 149).
🌍 When the Kingdom Comes: Fulfillment of Prophetic Scriptures
Therefore, through Jesus, the Kingdom has come to us as God intended with the forgiveness of sins (Jeremiah 31:34), righteous judgment (Isaiah 11:1–4), reconciliation of the divided (Ezekiel 37:15–23), and the reestablishment of God’s presence among His people (Zechariah 2:10–11).
🛤️ The Right Response of Life to the Kingdom of God
How are we invited to live?
Praying fervently: "Thy kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10).
Doing justice: Being on the front lines for the poor, the marginalized, and the broken.
Living in love: Loving your enemies, forgiving unconditionally, and loving without limits (Matthew 5:44).
Witnessing with hope: Living a life of distinction, as witnesses of the Kingdom in a dark world (Matthew 5:10-12).
Spiritual Practices:
Meditate on Matthew 5–7 each day this week. Examine how you can demonstrate the Kingdom of God in your daily life.
Pray: "Father, make me an instrument of your Kingdom on earth. Make me a beacon of your mercy and justice."
Share: Perform one act of compassion and love for someone on the margins of society this week.
🙋 Short Questions and Answers
Is the Kingdom of God here now or is it coming? Yes—it is here through Jesus (Luke 17:21) and will be fully realized when Jesus returns in glory (Romans 8:18–21; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28)).
Why is the Kingdom of God a challenge to religion and politics? Because it demands true obedience to God rather than to any human tradition or authority (John 18:36).
How can we live as citizens of the Kingdom today? By sharing the love, justice, and forgiveness of Jesus everywhere, by a life that bears witness to Christ (Matthew 5-7).
Does the Kingdom concern only the present life or also the future? The Kingdom has two aspects — it has begun now through the Church and the work of the Spirit, but it will be fully realized when Jesus returns (NT Wright, Surprised by Hope, p. 207).
🙌 The Final Blessing
Go in the peace of the Kingdom of God. Not by competition but by love. Not by revenge but by forgiveness. The Kingdom is within you — shine and bear witness. Until that day we witness with our own eyes the full kingdom of Christ.
💬 Call to Engagement
What part of the Kingdom of God has touched you the most? Please share your thoughts or ask questions. This is a journey together to understand and live this wonderful Kingdom.
📚 References Used
Holy Bible — The main reference for all cited scriptures, including Matthew 4:17; Luke 4:18–19; John 1:14; and Isaiah 61:1–2.
NT Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God (1996) — Provides a historical and prophetic interpretation of Jesus’ ministry as the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. See especially chapters 6 and 7 (pp. 202–217).
NT Wright, How God Became King (2012) — Provides an analysis of the Gospel as a proclamation of God’s reign manifested through Jesus. See page 70 on Jesus’ authority before the Romans and Jews.
NT Wright, Surprised by Hope (2008) — Provides a picture of the future hope of the Kingdom of God and the resurrection of Jesus as the basis for that hope (see p. 207).
Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the God of Israel (2008) — Explains the relationship between Jesus and the identity of the God of Israel. See page 10.
Matthew Thiessen, Jesus and the Forces of Death (2020) — Analyzes how Jesus overcame cultural and ritual barriers through healing and collaboration with the marginalized. See page 149.
Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew (1995) — Provides a unique perspective on Jesus’s character of breaking religious and social expectations. See page 106.
BibleProject (Tim Mackie), "Kingdom of God" Video Series — An excellent source for understanding in pictures and audio the meaning of the Kingdom of God as heaven and earth are united through Jesus.
Comments