The Kingdom of God

Jesus Christ was the greatest storyteller of all time. Many of his stories centered on the Kingdom of God. During our Bridges trainings events, led by our incredible partners around the world, we reference and provide story collections that include many stories about Jesus and parables Jesus told.

“Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.” (Matthew 13:34 NLT)

One of my favorite Kingdom of God stories is the late-night conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee searching for truth.

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:1-8 NIV)

This story continues with Nicodemus passionately seeking to discover God’s truths and asking Jesus more questions about being “born again”.

Parables of the Kingdom

In his parables, Jesus spoke of earthly objects and human situations, and then mirrored spiritual realities of the heavenly dimension. The living Word of God records forty-three different parables Jesus spoke. Of these, twelve mention the “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom of Heaven”.

You might be asking, “What is so special about the Kingdom of God that Jesus spent this much time talking about it?”

The “Kingdom of God,” where God reigns and Jesus Christ is King, is truly central to the Biblical story of redemption. This narrative redemption story follows the fall of Adam and Eve, the calling of the nation of Israel, and the coming of the promised Messiah. When Jesus Christ came as the Messiah, He established God’s Kingdom in the new covenant through his death and resurrection, and now reigns from Heaven. One day, Christ will return to magnify the blessings of the Kingdom, at which time He will set up God’s eternal Kingdom in the new heavens and new earth. In the meantime, we live in the now and not yet of the eternal Kingdom, serving our King and looking for His return. Oh, how we yearn for His return!

Kingdom Story Set

As a bonus to this post, here is our Story Collection (listed in our Bridges training curriculum) regarding the “Kingdom of God”. I encourage you to spend some time in it, enjoying God’s promises and His soon coming Kingdom!

• The Sower (Mark 4:10-20)
• The Weed (Matthew 13: 36-43)
• The Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-34)
• The Yeast (Matthew 13:33)
• The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
• Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45)
• The Net (Matthew 13:47-50)
• Born Again (John 3:1-8)
• The Coming of the Kingdom (Luke 17: 20-37)
• Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
• Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
• Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
• The Tenants (Matthew 21:33-44)
• The Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)
• The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

Staying Connected

We are praying that this post encourages you. If would like to tell us more about where you are in your journey with the Lord and to find out more about an opportunity to be part of SIU’s Bridges training events, please complete our “Getting to Know You” form found at:
https://www.scripturesinuse.org/getting-to-know-you/

Thank you for staying connected with Scriptures in Use, our partners and the Lord’s work in oral cultures around the world. Please feel free to ask any questions or leave a comment on this post. We look forward to hearing from you!