Knowing Jesus #4: Keep Your Focus

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Where is the kingdom of God? How can you spot it? And how can you get ready for it?

As Jesus nears Jerusalem, some Pharisees ask him if the kingdom of God is coming soon. We can only guess their motives. Are they egging him on? Are they genuinely curious? It's common to assume, perhaps rightly, that they think Jesus will try to liberate Jerusalem.

Some Jews no doubt hope for a strong leader who can make them great again. Others are spectators, hoping to see another failed conspirator crash and burn against the might of Rome. Perhaps there are a few genuinely drawn to the kingdom of God as described by Jesus—an upside-down kingdom in which the humble are great and the proud are humbled. But even these suffer from some confusion about Jesus' kingdom.

The Pharisees are not typically among the genuine seekers. Luke makes this plain. "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, ridiculed him" (Luke 16:14). And elsewhere: "The Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them'" (Luke 15:2). So when the Pharisees ask Jesus about the kingdom, we know they are misguided.

This week's text (Luke 17:20-37) is sandwiched between two stories about humble and broken people. In the first, ten lepers receive mercy from Jesus. Although all are healed, only one turns to prostrate himself before Jesus in thanksgiving. In the second story, a widow crushed by injustice turns to a hard-hearted judge who cares not for mercy. But because she never loses heart, the judge finally grants her request and brings justice.

Amongst these stories, Jesus explains the coming of God's kingdom—first to the Pharisees and second to the disciples who long to see "one of the days of the Son of Man." Both expect the wrong thing. They are like John the Baptist who sent messengers to Jesus (Luke 7:18f) asking if Jesus was the "coming one" or if they should wait for someone else. In other words, they're trying to read the signs of the kingdom’s arrival, but they can’t see it because they're tracking the wrong metrics.

Just as with John's messengers, Jesus replies that the kingdom is already present among them. Can't they see it? Have they not heard about the lepers? Did they not hear him talk about Lazarus and the rich man? Don't they know what Jesus' kingdom looks like? Apparently not. They're looking here and looking there but can't see what is right in front of their eyes. It's breaking out all around them and among them!

So he tells his followers what I need to share in this week's message: Keep your focus. The kingdom is already here, and it is serious business. Bad things will happen in this world, but you need to keep your eyes on the real kingdom. If you lose focus, there's no guarantee you'll avoid the fate of these times.

Do you see Jesus' kingdom? Or are you looking for the wrong signs? Are you hoping for the wrong kind of messiah and the wrong kind of salvation? Are you fighting for justice today, helping Jesus' kingdom become real in the lives of the humble and broken of our world? Or are you following the siren call of those who would distract you from what's really important? 

So fix your eyes on Jesus, the humble King who gave his life for others. Look at the signs Jesus described: "The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the poor have good news brought to them, and blessed is anyone who takes no offense at them" (Luke 7:22-23). Stop listening to those who say, "Look over here! Look over there." Keep you focus on what really matters.

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