The kingdom of God is not just a distant hope or a future reality, but something Jesus was deeply passionate about bringing to earth here and now. When Jesus taught his disciples, he consistently spoke about the kingdom—God’s rule and reign breaking into our world, transforming lives, and restoring what is broken. The focus is not simply on escaping judgment, but on participating in God’s work of bringing heaven to earth. This means seeking God’s will in our daily lives, workplaces, families, and communities, and living out the values of the kingdom in tangible ways.
During the forty days after his resurrection, Jesus spent time with his disciples, likely reminding them of the many aspects of the kingdom: healing, provision, humility, selfless service, radical love, breaking down barriers, and redefining power through servanthood and non-violence. The kingdom Jesus described is countercultural—where the greatest is the servant, where love extends even to enemies, and where all are included regardless of background or status. Jesus himself is the king crowned not with gold, but with thorns—a king who rules through sacrifice and love.
Yet, to live out and expand this kingdom, something more is needed. Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, the essential gift that empowers ordinary people to continue his work. The Holy Spirit is not just a helper, but the very presence and power of God enabling us to heal, provide, love, forgive, and persevere in the face of opposition and criticism. Even Jesus, in his earthly ministry, relied on the Spirit for guidance, strength, and courage.
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, everything changed. Fear was replaced with boldness, the church was birthed, generosity overflowed, miracles broke out, and the good news spread far beyond what anyone expected. The Spirit shattered limitations, bringing in people from every background and surprising even the disciples with the breadth of God’s grace. Today, the same Spirit is available to us, inviting us to be part of God’s ongoing work, to bring heaven to earth wherever we go, and to expect God to do more than we can imagine. As we open ourselves to the Spirit, we are invited to receive, to be filled, and to become agents of the kingdom in our world.