When it comes to the kingdom of God, it isn’t the smartest, most religious person in the room who gains entrance.
This week, we read about a Pharisee and member of the Jewish council who would have been one of the most important men in Jerusalem. Yet when he approaches Jesus one night, he isn’t welcomed with open arms. Nicodemus intends to converse as religious equals. Instead he receives a lesson about the kingdom of God.
A kingdom of believers
Interestingly, the kingdom of God never is mentioned in the Old Testament. In Matthew, it’s first mentioned by John, “preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’” (Matthew 3:1-2). In Mark, it’s Jesus who declares, “‘The time has come … . The kingdom of God is near’” (Mark 1:15).
Regardless of who states it first, however, the kingdom of God is a uniquely Jesus idea, becoming the cornerstone of his ministry on earth. What is the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is the spiritual kingdom under God’s authority. Essentially, it is us. As in any nation, citizenship is extended automatically to anyone born in that kingdom. But since it’s a spiritual kingdom, it requires a spiritual birth. “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:5-6).
Jesus wants Nicodemus to understand favor with God isn’t earned by religiosity. Being a leader among the Jews isn’t what’s important. All that matters is citizenship in God’s spiritual kingdom.
Rules and regulations don’t matter
Paul reinforces this idea, saying “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” (Romans 14:17-18).
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
In this context, “eating and drinking” represent the rules and regulations we attach to our beliefs. But the kingdom of God isn’t about rigidly obeying a set of rules. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to change us. We’ll know we’re on the right track when the fruit of the Holy Spirit—righteousness, peace and joy—flow out of us naturally and consistently.
That’s what Jesus means in verse 8. You can’t see the Holy Spirit, but you can tell when he’s there because lives will be transformed by his presence.
It starts with child-like faith
Jesus says the kingdom of God isn’t about the things we do, but the way we relate to him. “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Children understand they aren’t in control. They rest knowing their mother and father are there to take care of them. That’s the type of faith we must have as Christians. By using the image of rebirth, Jesus stresses we must relate to God as children, completely dependent on him.
Total rebirth is required
Unfortunately, we tend to behave as disobedient children rather than adopting child-like faith. Since we know we serve a loving Father, we tend to believe we can get away with “little sins.”
Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God puts this into perspective. When we sin, we submit to the enemy and give him authority over us. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).
We must remember, there’s no such thing as dual citizenship. Either we serve God or the enemy.
Jesus says, if we love him, we must obey him. He even tells us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Obeying Jesus strengthens his authority on earth. When he has gained all authority, He’ll give the kingdom (us) as a gift to his Father. “Then the end will come when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).
Jesus doesn’t actually reject Nicodemus. But he does challenge him to lay down any pride he may feel about his importance in the religious community. As a spiritual leader, Nicodemus must be willing to become less important, even to the point of becoming a child.
It’s a challenge for us as well.
Food for thought
Does your life build up or tear down the kingdom of God? In answering this question, don’t consider the responsibilities you have at church. Consider only your relationship with God, your thought life, and the way you respond when stressed.
Praise God, we aren’t condemned for failing, but only for failing to repent. If your find areas of your life that need to be turned over to God more completely, confess them and ask God to empower you to overcome sin through faith.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.