Let your Kingdom Come – Terry Nightingale

As we said last time, we are currently slowing down our journey through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and spending some time in the prayer that has become known as The Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus began his teaching by saying,

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,” (Matt 6:9)

We noted that our Father in Heaven sits on His throne, exalted above all things and He sees the heart of every human being. But He also loves us deeply, constantly inviting us to come into his presence through prayer and through faith in His son, Jesus.

Jesus continued with an encouragement to pray these words:

“your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10)

Let’s unpack what this word, “Kingdom” might mean.

There are over 100 references to the Kingdom in the gospels. Jesus must have felt that it was very important. He told stories about it in parables; He described it with vivid images; He frequently referred to it in his teachings; He did miracles as signs of its coming; and He told us (here in the Sermon on the Mount) to pray for it.

But What is it?

Jesus described it as something that is coming in the future (at the end of time) in Matt 25: 31 – 35. He described it as something that is close by when he said “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (which he said on numerous occasions). And according to Matthew 12: 28, when Jesus said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” it is something which can also be right here and right now.

But what is it?

Most scholars studying the Scriptures would describe it as The Rule of God. The Rule of God in the Universe and the Rule of God in our lives. His Sovereignty over all things.

So, when we pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”, we are petitioning God, calling on Him to cause His will to come to pass on earth. In this world. In our lives. His sovereign, good, perfect and righteous purposes to be created into being. Not my will but His will. Not my plans but His exceedingly greater plans.

This portion of The Lord’s Prayer is an opportunity for every child of God to see their life as a part of His much greater story. The Father loves us, but it is His will that must take the throne. Speaking these words in prayer reminds me that my life is not all about me. It is much more about Him and His growing Kingdom across the world. The world His Son died for.