The coming of the Kingdom - O le oo mai o le Malo

Scripture Focus: Luka 17:20-35,37

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation; neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” He said to the disciples, “The days will come, when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away, nor follow after them, for as the lightning, when it flashes out of the one part under the sky, shines to the other part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. As it was in the days of Noah, even so will it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all. It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who will be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him who is in the field likewise not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it. I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. The one will be taken, and the other will be left. There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken, and the other will be left.” They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there will the vultures also be gathered together.”
- Luke 17:20-35,37 (WEB)

Study:

In this passage, Jesus addresses a vital question about the coming of God's Kingdom. The Pharisees ask for observable signs to pinpoint when the Kingdom will arrive, but Jesus clarifies that it "doesn't come with observation." Rather, the Kingdom of God is present "within you," indicating a spiritual reality rather than a visible political event. Jesus warns his disciples to be cautious of false reports and misleading signs, likening His return to sudden lightning that illuminates the whole sky. He also reminds them that His coming will be unexpected, as in the days of Noah and Lot, where people were caught unprepared while engaged in everyday life.

Jesus stresses the importance of prioritizing the Kingdom over earthly attachments, warning against looking back or clinging to possessions or old ways, symbolized by the admonition to remember Lot's wife. The paradox of losing life to save it underscores the cost of discipleship—sacrificing worldly securities for eternal life. The passage ends with the sobering note of separation, where some will be taken and others left, highlighting the urgency of readiness and faithful living.

Application:

This teaching encourages us to shift focus from seeking external signs to cultivating the Kingdom of God within our hearts. In a world filled with distractions and false hopes, we are called to live with spiritual alertness and readiness, grounding our priorities on God’s will rather than worldly pleasures. The examples of Noah and Lot remind us of the risk of complacency—living as if today’s routine is all there is.

For believers today, the challenge is to trust God’s timing, remain faithful through trials, and resist the temptation to cling to comfort or material security at the expense of faithfulness. The call to "lose your life to save it" invites us to embrace self-denial and wholehearted allegiance to Christ. By doing so, we participate in the Kingdom here and now, experiencing God’s reign in our lives while anticipating its fullness in the future.

Reflection Questions:

• How do I understand the Kingdom of God "within me" in my daily life?
• Am I more focused on outward signs or inward transformation regarding my faith?
• What "Lot’s wife" attachments might I need to let go of to follow Christ more fully?
• How can I live in readiness for Christ’s coming while engaging responsibly in daily activities?
• What does it mean for me practically to "lose my life" to preserve it?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me to recognize your Kingdom within and live with expectancy and faithfulness. Teach me to prioritize your will above earthly concerns and to be ready for your coming at all times. Strengthen me to let go of attachments that hinder my journey with you, and grant me the grace to lose my life in order to find it in you. Amen.

Tags: Kingdom of God, Luke 17, Jesus teachings, Spiritual readiness, Faithfulness, Biblical study, Christian discipleship, End times, Gospel of Luke