Kingdom of God Essay
Otis F. Johnson
BIB-354: Jesus and His Interpreters
March 6, 2014
Jason Smith - Instructor
The Kingdom of God Essay In the following essay we will look at the Kingdom of God in the parables in the book of Luke. Then we will compare it to the teaching of the Kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount that is found in the book of Matthew chapters 5-7. Now in order to fully understand the parables that are found in the book of Luke we must first know what the “Kingdom of God” is. The “Kingdom” is not a real physical place but in the time of Jesus was more talking about God’s rule over all that He created. He is mostly talking about saving all of His people from sin and if they do sin what those consequences are. This was also found in the book of Mathew also but instead of the “Kingdom of God,” is referred to as the “Kingdom of Heaven.” The two are still talking about God’s reign and not about a real kingdom or a real heaven but of His rule over all people. The kingdom does not just consist of God’s reign but also includes His victory over spiritual enemies which occurred through Jesus. So in essence the kingdom of God is “acting in his sovereign power to deliver man from the destructive powers that enthrall him." (Beasley-Murray, 1989) Now in order to reach that kingdom there are rules to follow and Jesus made sure that we knew what it would take to enter that “kingdom,” so he spoke in parables in the book of Luke but what was the true meaning. In the parables that were taught by Jesus in the book of Luke, Jesus was not just sharing or comparing what to do on earth but to give people a guide of things to avoid and to do while on earth. The ultimate goal that Jesus was trying to achieve was to help all people reach the “Kingdom of God,” through teachings but in a way that only those that were truly open to the will of God would hear. When people get caught up on the pleasures of this world and not stay focused on God then you leave yourself open to not reaching the
BIB-354: Jesus and His Interpreters
March 6, 2014
Jason Smith - Instructor
The Kingdom of God Essay In the following essay we will look at the Kingdom of God in the parables in the book of Luke. Then we will compare it to the teaching of the Kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount that is found in the book of Matthew chapters 5-7. Now in order to fully understand the parables that are found in the book of Luke we must first know what the “Kingdom of God” is. The “Kingdom” is not a real physical place but in the time of Jesus was more talking about God’s rule over all that He created. He is mostly talking about saving all of His people from sin and if they do sin what those consequences are. This was also found in the book of Mathew also but instead of the “Kingdom of God,” is referred to as the “Kingdom of Heaven.” The two are still talking about God’s reign and not about a real kingdom or a real heaven but of His rule over all people. The kingdom does not just consist of God’s reign but also includes His victory over spiritual enemies which occurred through Jesus. So in essence the kingdom of God is “acting in his sovereign power to deliver man from the destructive powers that enthrall him." (Beasley-Murray, 1989) Now in order to reach that kingdom there are rules to follow and Jesus made sure that we knew what it would take to enter that “kingdom,” so he spoke in parables in the book of Luke but what was the true meaning. In the parables that were taught by Jesus in the book of Luke, Jesus was not just sharing or comparing what to do on earth but to give people a guide of things to avoid and to do while on earth. The ultimate goal that Jesus was trying to achieve was to help all people reach the “Kingdom of God,” through teachings but in a way that only those that were truly open to the will of God would hear. When people get caught up on the pleasures of this world and not stay focused on God then you leave yourself open to not reaching the