A kingdom hidden in plain sight
Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world, yet we’re still in it for a reason. We’re ambassadors of an eternal kingdom, advancing not by force but by proclaiming the truth.
Let’s talk about Peter. I think we all get why he drew his sword that night. The soldiers are coming for Jesus, and Peter thinks, Not on my watch. You can almost hear him muttering, “I’ll save you, Jesus!”—sword flailing, ear flying. Peter had good intentions, sure, but sometimes our best impulses are just wrong. Jesus tells him to stand down, but this isn’t the first time Peter doesn’t get it. Remember when Peter swore Jesus wouldn’t suffer or die? Jesus shut that down, too, saying, “Get behind me, Satan.” Peter had a lot of zeal, but it was a zeal without knowledge. A kingdom that conquers without fighting? That didn’t compute for him.
It’s not just Peter. The Jewish leaders, the crowds—they all expected the Messiah to come swinging, storming into Jerusalem and overthrowing Rome. Instead, Jesus meekly stood trial, essentially saying, “My kingdom isn’t like the kingdoms you’re used to.” While Pilate scratches his head and Peter sharpens his sword, Jesus is showing us something radically different. This isn’t a kingdom of power grabs and political maneuvering. It’s a kingdom built on sacrifice and truth, where victory looks suspiciously like defeat (but only at first glance).
The disciples, even post-resurrection, still don’t get it fully. “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom?” they ask. They were expecting Jesus to set up a physical, political reign. Instead, he ascends into heaven, leaving them (and us) with the mission to grow his spiritual kingdom through gospel proclamation, not swordplay. Jesus’ kingdom is here, but it’s also not yet. It is already established but waiting for its final, visible consummation when he returns.
What makes this kingdom so different? It’s upside-down. Instead of the mighty, it’s the meek who inherit the earth. Instead of storing up treasures here, we store them up in heaven. The world says, “Get more, be more, dominate,” but Jesus says, “Lose your life to find it.” The true growth of this kingdom isn’t through conquest but through hearts transformed by the gospel. That’s what makes it not of this world.
Summary
- Peter’s well-meaning attempt to defend Jesus misses the point: Jesus’ kingdom isn’t built on violence or force.
- Both the Jews and the disciples misunderstood the nature of Christ’s kingdom, expecting a political revolution.
- Jesus declares his kingdom “not of this world,” meaning it operates on spiritual, not worldly, terms.
- Christ’s kingdom grows through gospel proclamation, not political power, and will come in fullness at his return.
- Believers are called to be ambassadors of this kingdom, living in the world but not of it, with eyes fixed on eternity.
Recommend reading
What Is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert
This book explores the church’s role in advancing the kingdom of God.
The King in His Beauty by Thomas R. Schreiner
Schreiner traces the theme of God’s kingdom through the entirety of the Bible.