Jesus told Nicodemus that he can’t see the kingdom of God without being reborn. But what is the Kingdom of God? Nicodemus would have been a student of what we call the Old Testament. While those Scriptures don’t specifically use kingdom terminology, they tell us that God is king.
Samuel was upset when the people asked him for an earthly king to rule them. 1 Samuel 8: 6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer.[1]
From what we know about earthly kingdoms, they have a king, people or the king’s subjects, and a territory. The Kingdom of God has the king- God, people – believers, and the realm where God rules. This isn’t necessarily geographical but spiritual.
What Else Does Scripture Tell Us About God’s Kingdom?
- To enter, you must confess and repent of sin: Matthew 4:17
- Those persecuted for the faith will receive rewards there: Matthew 5:10-12
- Not all who talk about it belong there: Matthew 7:21
- Small beginning but great results: Matthew 13:31-32
- Worldwide impact: Matthew 13:33
- Priceless Value: Matthew 13:44-46
- Cannot judge who will be in it: Matthew 13:47-49
- Good news to all: Luke 4:43
- Equally available to all: Luke 10:21
- Must be the believer’s top priority: Luke 12:31
- The door is now open to all, but one day it will close: Luke 13:22-30
- To enter, you must be born again: John 3:3 [2]
How Do We Become Citizens of God’s Kingdom?
The Pharisees thought they were part of God’s kingdom because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus taught differently. We access this kingdom through faith. John 3: 16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[3]Personal relationship, not ethnicity, is the basis of this kingdom. Its entrance requires repentance and spiritual rebirth.
Jesus came to a world condemned by sin and under the control of our enemy, satan. But through Jesus’ work on the cross, He gives us the opportunity to change our citizenship. Colossians 1: 13 For he (God) has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. [4]
We only begin to experience a part of God’s kingdom here on this earth. We will receive the full rights of our kingdom citizenship in eternity. Seek God’s Kingdom now for eternity. What is the kingdom of God? To find out, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-and-nicodemus
[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.