Luke 17:20-21 – Receive the Kingdom

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

To enter the kingdom, one must have the ticket that guarantees their entrance. Is your entrance into the kingdom sealed?

Today’s devotional reading: Luke 17:20-21

The Pharisees believed in heaven, heavenly beings, angels, and the resurrection. They also believed and were zealous in how they lived, believing they lived holy and righteously. So, when they came to Jesus, asking about the kingdom of God, they did so truly believing in the kingdom and that they already had their tickets to the kingdom. When they asked Jesus about the kingdom, they believed they knew the way, and Jesus did not.

Many of us, when we think of the kingdom, think only of the eternal dwelling place. Yet, Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the kingdom of God can come and be with us. Many of us forget what Paul also had to remind the Corinthians – you are a temple.

There are two ways that one receives the kingdom of God before entering the kingdom of heaven:

1. The kingdom of God can come to be with us because of Christ laying down His life for us. Christ reconciled all things to Himself, restoring harmony between the Lord and all of those who believe that all sins are forgiven through the atoning blood of Jesus. Faith in the only begotten Son is the first step to receiving the kingdom of God.
2. The kingdom of God will come to all of those who believe in Christ by way of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will only dwell with those whose temple has been washed clean of sin by Jesus’ atoning blood. Always remember that God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus says, “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you,” He speaks of kingdom living dwelling in you through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s role is to lead believers into all truth, so that one may live in a manner that is of the kingdom of God. When you receive the Holy Spirit, you receive the one who prepares you for the day that you will inherit the kingdom of heaven, and is the seal of your redemption.