And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 9:1
This verse makes me wonder at the level of longing we have for the Kingdom of God. Do we want to see the Kingdom of God come in a powerful way before we die? Are we a people of power? Or do we sit pitiful and ashamed, unable to make a difference in this world?
I Corinthians 4:20 says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” It’s one thing to know the Kingdom only as doctrine; another to live the reality of the Kingdom. Remember: faith without action is dead!
The Bible has many good metaphors on the Kingdom. One strong metaphor is found in Mark 4:30-32, which says, “Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.’”
The reality of the Kingdom of God can start as a small seed in our hearts, then grow in strength, firmness, and influence. We should be people who affect our surroundings, allowing for the transformation of Jesus within us to spill forth outside of us. People who watch our lives should see Jesus in us and want Him for themselves. They should see the values and the fruit of the Kingdom operating in the way we walk, talk, and decide.
In the early Church, the reality of the Kingdom was evident as people were brought daily into the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 2:47). Christians were then living portrayals of God’s love and power. The blind could see, the lame could walk, sicknesses and diseases were healed. Relationships among the Christians were vibrant and generous. Truly, Christianity wasn’t just a mere religion. It was alive!
Isn’t Christianity still alive now? Isn’t Jesus alive? The question we can ask of ourselves is: Do we know what it truly means to be alive?
The Bible says this about the Kingdom: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mathew 6:33) To see the Kingdom come with power, we must long for the Kingdom. It must be a priority. And how do we start? We can start by longing for the KING of kings. Without the King, there is no kingdom.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. Matthew 11:12
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:7-8
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Janina Marie Rivera is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine, a teacher of world literature, and a student of the Bible. She enjoys reflecting on life’s curve balls and plateaus. She resides in the Philippines, the country known for people who smile a lot.
