The Lord's Prayer suddenly takes a turn of events. Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray, which I have come to understand is a type of order and sequence to consider as we approach this God who is now become "Our Father." Now Jesus brings to focus an entirely new train of thought...God's Kingdom! In this phrase He prays, "Thy Kingdom come..." What would this mean to His disciples, to others, to us living today? What exactly is "God's Kingdom" and why is it so important for Jesus to invite His Father's Kingdom to come?...to come where?
For His disciples, this may have been a shot of adrenalin. During the time Jesus was teaching on how to pray, many disciples had conferred with one another about a possible revolt by Israel against the rule of the Roman Empire. Those hearing about Jesus thought He might be the One to lead in a revolt, crush the power of Roman occupation, and reinstate Israel as a free country.
Yet, as time went on, it became clear this was not what Jesus was referring to in reference to this phrase "Thy Kingdom come..." Israel did not free herself from the rule of the Romans and did indeed face a horrible and bloody defeat by the Romans in 70 C.E., including the destruction of the Temple itself in Jerusalem. Many lives were lost and cost Israel dearly.
So, what was Jesus talking of when He spoke this particular phrase?
Two early Protestant Reformation theologians made some comments referring to this phrase "Thy Kingdom come..." John Calvin wrote this phrase should be read "Let Thy Kingdom arrive," allowing the reader the freedom to grasp the Kingdom of God was coming to mankind, rather than search for it or figure out where this Kingdom might be at. Jesus was not saying this phrase as some sort of treasure map that had secrets if unlocked, nor would it guarantee a great monetary fortune, much like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Then, Martin Luther added to this thought by writing this phrase should be read "Let Your Kingdom come and be established...in me." In Saint Mark 1:15, upon hearing of John the Baptizer's arrest, Jesus makes this announcement. "The time has now arrived! The Kingdom of God is here. It is now the opportune time to change your lives, believe in this Message I share with you, and allow His Kingdom to be established in you!" ( in a Gleaning format) In Luke 17:20-21 it reads: "Asked by the Pharisees when this Kingdom of God would actually come, He replied to them saying: ' The Kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed on the earth, visible displays, not the signs you are looking for. Nor will people say, Look! Here it is! or See! There it is! For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you, in your hearts, and among you, surrounding you." (Amplified Version).
As Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray on a hillside just north of the Sea of Galilee, He was again pointing in the same direction He continually did when He chose to become one of us...it was our hearts He was after. It is in our very hearts "Thy Kingdom come..." is to be found, even today.
For His disciples, this may have been a shot of adrenalin. During the time Jesus was teaching on how to pray, many disciples had conferred with one another about a possible revolt by Israel against the rule of the Roman Empire. Those hearing about Jesus thought He might be the One to lead in a revolt, crush the power of Roman occupation, and reinstate Israel as a free country.
Yet, as time went on, it became clear this was not what Jesus was referring to in reference to this phrase "Thy Kingdom come..." Israel did not free herself from the rule of the Romans and did indeed face a horrible and bloody defeat by the Romans in 70 C.E., including the destruction of the Temple itself in Jerusalem. Many lives were lost and cost Israel dearly.
So, what was Jesus talking of when He spoke this particular phrase?
Two early Protestant Reformation theologians made some comments referring to this phrase "Thy Kingdom come..." John Calvin wrote this phrase should be read "Let Thy Kingdom arrive," allowing the reader the freedom to grasp the Kingdom of God was coming to mankind, rather than search for it or figure out where this Kingdom might be at. Jesus was not saying this phrase as some sort of treasure map that had secrets if unlocked, nor would it guarantee a great monetary fortune, much like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Then, Martin Luther added to this thought by writing this phrase should be read "Let Your Kingdom come and be established...in me." In Saint Mark 1:15, upon hearing of John the Baptizer's arrest, Jesus makes this announcement. "The time has now arrived! The Kingdom of God is here. It is now the opportune time to change your lives, believe in this Message I share with you, and allow His Kingdom to be established in you!" ( in a Gleaning format) In Luke 17:20-21 it reads: "Asked by the Pharisees when this Kingdom of God would actually come, He replied to them saying: ' The Kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed on the earth, visible displays, not the signs you are looking for. Nor will people say, Look! Here it is! or See! There it is! For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you, in your hearts, and among you, surrounding you." (Amplified Version).
As Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray on a hillside just north of the Sea of Galilee, He was again pointing in the same direction He continually did when He chose to become one of us...it was our hearts He was after. It is in our very hearts "Thy Kingdom come..." is to be found, even today.
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