Luke 9:43b-45 While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
 
MANY are praising Jesus for his healing work. What happiness for all to experience the joy of the boy’s salvation from demon-driven convulsions. This certainly was time for Jesus to say, “Look at God’s Kingdom power here!”
   Instead, Jesus has eternity on his mind. He knows that what is about to happen to him is ultimately of a far greater deliverance than the boy’s healing. Amid the public celebration, then, he took his disciples aside to speak a disturbing prophecy: “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
   Consider the disciples’ shock. “Son of Man” relates to the power of the Holy God, whom the Jews knew as Yahweh. “Yahweh” is the eternal “I Am”, who identified himself to Moses in Exodus 3. How could one of Yahweh, who delivered his people from Egypt, be delivered into any man’s hand? It’s not possible to betray – turn against – the eternal God. Was this blasphemy to say one would deliver the Deliverer?
Jesus teaches again of his Servant-savior role. The disciples did not understand his words because they could not comprehend one has powerful as Jesus submitting to anyone. Surely this healing, demon-exorcising, life-restoring Lord would not allow anyone to betray him. Evil confronted him, and evil always lost. Surely Jesus would overcome all opposition!
   We can’t blame the disciples for not knowing. Jesus, the Son of Man, is one-of-a-kind. He was fully man. He was fully God. He lived on earth, so he could die on earth for your sins. Jesus, the servant Son of Man, would submit to sin, so all his disciples through all time would not have to do so.
Remember Jesus’ eternal power is demonstrated eternally in this: Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Understand, believe and live in faith that the power of Yahweh – the I AM – was delivered unto the cross, so you would be delivered from sin.
   Trust the Bible’s truth. Live in this knowledge. Live a life of happiness in your eternal salvation. Then “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalms 118:29)
 
Prayer: Thank you, servant Jesus, that you have delivered me from sin. In joy, I praise you, God. Amen.    

Luke 9:41-43a “O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
 
OUR Lord doesn’t sound too loving here, does he? He calls his people – and particularly the twelve disciples – “unbelieving” and “perverse” (obstinate and stubborn). Impatient with their small faith he asked, “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” Ouch.
   This teaches us a very important aspect of God’s character: He expects us to live in faith. Recall how the disciples had ministered healing, exorcism and preaching in power and authority (Luke 9:1-6). They were so successful, Galilee’s ruler Herod heard of them and wanted to see Jesus, their rabbi. In Luke’s chronology, that God-powered episode was close to this encounter with an obstinate demon here.
   What happened? Apparently there is a faith issue here. Jesus had empowered his disciples to confront evil. They did so – once. But they could not repeat the work here. Our Lord longed for his own to come out of their stubborn self-focused hearts into daily, faith-filled, Spirit-empowered lives. This is the way Jesus lived and ministered. The Teacher wanted them to be “like Jesus” we would say. Once again, then, Jesus took charge to demonstrate God’s holy power to overcome evil and to overcome his people’s weak faith.
   The Overcomer empowers you today. In Jesus-like faith, you overcome sin with his holiness. In Jesus-like faith, you cast out temptation with his righteousness. In Jesus-like faith, you turn from doubt to trust the Lord’s assurance. In Jesus-like faith you are an overcomer, finding victory each day.
   Some months after this episode, Peter would preach this faith-inspired message, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  (to this response) 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:12-13)
   What changed between Luke 9 and Acts 4? The disciples had become as Jesus. The Holy Spirit had overcome their doubts. They lived and ministered as Jesus had taught and even admonished them. People Knew they had been with Jesus, the Living Lord and Savior of mankind.
   Is that true for you?
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, yours is the power and the glory forever. I pray for the faith to trust this truth each moment of my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
 

Luke 9:37-41 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”  
 
JESUS has effectively just been to Heaven. Transfigured – made beautiful and bright – on the mountain, he spent a few intimate moments with his Holy Father.
   Sometimes we have the opportunity to experience intimacy with God’s glory, don’t we? Such moments can occur in the singing of a special hymn or song that evokes a sense of deep love and gratitude toward our Holy Father. Sometimes we see a friend or loved one powerfully transformed into a loving, saving relationship with God. When we see their life dramatically change, we dwell for a few moments in God’s glory – a joyful moment with the holy Father.
   Moments in prayer, too, can draw us intimately into God’s glory. We confess our sins; we praise his provisions for our lives. We submit to God with, “Here I am.” We await his call, anticipating a deeper personal life with our holy Father in Heaven.
   In the light of Jesus’ transfiguration and the Bible’s record of Abraham, Moses and Elijah meeting with God on a mountain, such close moments with God are often called “mountain-top experiences”. These are experiences that become places we want to stay as Peter did (Luke 9:33). We desire the intimate glory with the Father to last forever. But, alas, they are but a preview of our eternal life. In the meantime, we are not to dwell with God, but we must in God’s will, we must go to the valleys to work in God’s power. Satan’s war against God’s kingdom requires us to fully engage with the “armor of God” (Ephesians 6) – the glorious power of God.
   Thus, Jesus goes from Heaven’s glory to confront Satan’s evil. His work remains unfinished. There is teaching, exorcism, healing, dying, rising, sending and ascending yet to do. Our Savior has come from glory to the earth, so you might have an eternal “mountain-top” relationship with the Holy God.
   Remember these days as you work in the valleys with God, you will one day dwell with God on his holy mountain: Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.      
 
Prayer: Lord, keep me mindful that even the darkest valleys lead to the mountain’s top when I am focused on you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 9:29-35 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.
 
We look at the entire description of Jesus’ Transfiguration to answer a question, “Why would disciples have “told no one what they had seen”?  You and I would be eager to tell our friends of this “mountain-top experience” wouldn’t we?
   Here is one lesson in understanding the Bible: The obvious may not be obvious. As we read Scripture, our first understanding is usually based on what we know and have experienced. For example, we have learned, “Tell others about Jesus.” But the disciples did not tell. Are they disobedient disciples?  
   The best place to understand the Bible is to often use the “Bible proving the Bible” method. This passage is a good example of this method. With some research (A study Bible will likely have this reference.) we learn Mark also describes the Transfiguration with some added details: Mark 9:9-10 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
   Now we know why the disciples did not tell. They were being good disciples, obedient to Jesus’ order. Jesus apparently gave the instructions because the disciples did not completely understand what they had seen. Luke 9:33 records Peter’s confusion of the events, and we see that the three did not understand the concept of Jesus’ rising from the dead. They could not accurately tell of what they did not know.
   Jesus knew the disciples needed to personally experience more than Jesus’ glory on the mountain. To explain their experience and to be believed, they and the other disciples would first have to come face-to-face with the glory of the crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. In this full knowledge of Jesus, they all could then faithfully and consistently proclaim to the nations, “Jesus is alive! He is Savior. He is coming again.”
   One thought: Sometimes we say, “I don’t know enough of God.” as a reason to “tell no one” what we have seen of Jesus. Yes, it is good for us to discern our understanding of God before we speak of him. Yet, we are commanded to tell the gospel. I encourage you to know the essential gospel truth. Understand the gospel – the good news – defines the Father, Son and Spirit saving mankind out of eternal death and into eternal life.
   Understand some basic ways to defend your Lord. The best way is to tell of your personal experiences with him. You will have many of these to share as you faithfully walk with him. Tell what you personally know of Jesus, then leave it to the Holy Spirit to do the rest as he has done for you.      
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, for each one of us to be confident to speak of you. Inspire us to confidently speak of our daily walk with you. Amen.

Luke 9:35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
 
GOD’S directive to Jesus’ disciples is very simple. “Listen to him.”
   “Listen,” the rabbi says, “come, follow me. I will change your life. The Holy God has chosen you for a life-changing mission.” (Matthew 4)
   “Listen,” the Lord promises, “you will heal diseases and drive out demons. With great faith, you will do much greater works than I.” (John 14)
   “Listen,” the Teacher stresses, “love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Love your neighbor, too, even as you love yourself. This is Kingdom living.” (Luke 10)
   “Listen,” the Savior proclaims, “go and leave your life of sin.” (John 8)
   “Listen,” the Resurrection and the Life cries out, “get up! Come out of that grave!!” (Mark 5, Luke 7, John 11)
   “Listen,” the Son of Man declares, “I will come again in power on the clouds to judge the living and the dead, to gather my elect to me” (Matthew 24, 26).
   “Listen,” the Servant solemnly declares, “I must suffer and be killed. And on the third day I will rise again.” (Mark 8, Luke 18)
   “Listen,” directs the Lord of Heaven’s armies, “go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28)
   “Listen,” directs the Lord of the church, “I will show you how much you must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9)
   “Listen,” promises the Savior, “I am going to Heaven to prepare a place for you. In my Father’s mansion there are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you.” (John 14)
   “Listen,” says Jesus, “the Counselor is coming to teach all things and remind you of all I have said.” (John 14)
   “Listen,” said the Crucified Savior, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23)
   “Listen,” the Living Lord assures, “it is I. Be not afraid.” (Matthew 28)
   “Listen,” said your Brother, “I have told you these things so your joy will be complete.” (John 15)
   The Father said, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him.” to affirm Jesus is greater than Moses; Jesus is greater than Elijah. Jesu is the Son of God, whose authority is above all. Are you listening?
 
Prayer: I want to listen to you, Jesus. In the Spirit’s power I rejoice in your words. Amen.

Luke 9:35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
 
THIS is the second time Luke records the Father speaking audibly to affirm and bless the Son. The first is during Jesus’ water baptism. The Father affirmed his love and pleasure in Jesus, the Son of God, before his people as recorded in Luke 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
   Here’s the lesson: Speak blessing to affirm others. Here’s why.
   One of the main barriers, for example, to a trusting, love relationship between a parent and a child is criticism. As good parents, we want our child(ren) to become a good person. But in response to sin separating us from God, we are also separated from his good words. For example, see Adam’s bad blaming words to Eve in Genesis 3:12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”  Does this make any sense that such bad blame-and-guilt language has become the common method to raise good children? Do such bad words lead to a good marriage or good relationships with others?
   Of course they do not; nothing bad can lead to any good; yet, we are prone to focus on the wrongs people do, aren’t we? “But,” you might say, “when our children error, they need correction, right?” Yes, they do. But have you ever considered they will live more purposefully to the good speak blessing to them?   
   Dad’s this is especially true for you. Sons and daughters need to know, “Dad loves and affirms me.” I think of my own childhood. I was often uncertain and on edge around my dad. He seldom affirmed my siblings and me, demanding more of whatever we were doing. Too many of his words to us were hard words to urge us to do better. Sadly, too, one of the lasting memories I have of my grandfather and my father together is that they often argued.
   But then one day, dad spoke a remarkable blessing to my brother and me. He affirmed us in a very special way, letting us know he was pleased with us. That day my dad said in a good way, “I love you; with you I am well pleased. I am glad you are my sons.”
   Note how I remember the moment. I know where I was standing and the circumstances of the moment these 50 years later. And I still feel right now that I can rest in his blessing. I no longer had to prove myself to anyone.
   Oftentimes, I will counsel parents to “catch” a child doing good. “Be sure,” I say, “to tell them how pleased you are with them. Tell them you love them. They need to hear it. (This is true for spouses and all other relationships, too.) Yes, it’s likely there are things about their lives that do not please you. But focus on the ways they do live well. Remind them, ‘You are my child.’ with joy and gratitude in your voice.”
   Regardless of your children’s ages, you can begin this now. They may wonder what you are doing at first. Be persistent and consistent with your words. Find something good. Speak it repeatedly. See what good your good words will do.  Yes, speak this way to your spouse, your friends, other family, church family – and even your pastor. You’ll be well-pleased with the results.
   Blessing language is the Father’s example to his Son. Created in God’s image, you are to speak the same way as you love God and love others as yourself. Such good words will form many good relationships and help people live into their goodness.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your blessing example to your Son. Open my mouth to bless. In Jesus’ love I pray, amen.
 
 

Luke 9:34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
 
YOU have been there. Something wonderful and marvelous happened. Perhaps it was your wedding day; maybe it was the birth of your children; joyously, it was the moment you recognized Jesus as your Savior and Lord. In the glorious moment, you were overwhelmed with joy as you felt God’s blessing on your life.
   James, John and Peter watched Jesus Transfigured into his glorious beauty right before their eyes. They are experiencing their heavenly future for a few moments. The Bible’s evidence is that Heaven’s glory and beauty from mankind’s view is a frightening, wondrous, joyous and overwhelming experience. (You can see all of these emotions in the shepherds’ response to the angels and Jesus’ birth in Luke 2.)
   God’s glory is so magnificent, our sinful hearts and minds will at first fearfully respond to him. Think, for instance, of moments you’ve stopped to realize, “I am a sinner. God is holy.” What happened? Hopefully, there was a sense of fear that gripped you. You may have thought, “I deserve to be judged into Hell!” You believe such frightful passages as Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 
   If you have experienced this fear, then rejoice! This is good fear that leads to your salvation. This is the Holy Spirit convicting you of the truth recorded in Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The Spirit caused you to know that your life is “short” – inadequate – before the Lord’s glory.
   In response to that knowledge, you were humble before God’s grace. You mourned your sins. You then celebrated Jesus’ salvation, confident in the Spirit’s assurance from Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Gratefully, you entered God’s glory as you obeyed Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
   In God’s grace, he has come to transfigures you into his eternal glory. Rejoice the Savior has welcomed you to Heaven.
 
Prayer: Thank you, God, for igniting in me a holy fear of you, that I confess and believe in your life-giving salvation. In Jesus’ glory I pray. Amen.

Luke 9:30-33 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
 
YOU likely have questions about biblical events. This is good. It means you are thinking about what you read. If we don’t know or understand something about the Bible, we must ask. For example, regarding this passage someone once asked me, “How did the disciples know it was Moses and Elijah with Jesus? There weren’t any pictures of them.”
The disciples knew Moses and Elijah in the same way they knew Jesus is “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:20) Jesus told Peter how he knew this in Matthew 16:17 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. The Father had arranged for the three disciples to see the prophets and the Transfiguration of Christ together. Certainly the Spirit of God revealed to them who was with Jesus. This is God’s inspiration. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. The Holy Spirit informed and empowered men throughout the ages to teach us of God.
   In yesterday’s lesson, we considered that one reason God had arranged for the three disciples to see Jesus’ glory was to prepare them for their ministries. Another reason, perhaps, the Lord wanted to show them Jesus ‘glory was to contrast Jesus to these two highly esteemed prophets.
   To many Jews, Moses was THE law giver and prophet of old. No one was greater than he. But Jesus had come to complete the Law of Moses. There are many comparisons, too, with Elijah’s and Jesus’ ministry. For example, there is Elijah’s survival in a wilderness, an unending supply of bread for a widow, and Elijah resurrecting her son. Remember, also, how people were saying Jesus could be the Elijah who was to come.
   The Jews’ rightly believed that Moses and Elijah were great prophets called and empowered to do extraordinary work of the LORD. But they were prophets who pointed to Jesus. God, the Father, has clearly revealed to James, Peter and John that Jesus is the glorious Son of God. We’ll see this even more in the next lesson. 
   Again, as discussed in our last lesson, this experience of Jesus’ Transfiguration will be one way these disciples will be transfigured into the extraordinary work God gave them to do. The more they know Jesus as the Son of God, the more certain they are to minister in his name.
   So it must be for us.
 
Prayer: Jesus, you are the Son of God. Fill my heart, mind and soul with an unwavering knowledge of you. Amen.

Luke 9:28-29 About eight days after Jesus said this (his kingdom of God reaching), he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
 
THIS event is known as the Transfiguration of Christ. First, let’s understand “transfigure” means “to transform one’s appearance revealing great beauty and magnificence.” Jesus’ appearance changed from a typical human into the Son of God. Peter, James and John gazed upon Jesus’ heavenly glory, personally experiencing his extraordinary brightness, light and beauty. God certainly favored these three disciples that day. Their faith and their lives would certainly change.
   But at first look, the Transfiguration seems to be a wasted on these three. Very soon after this, the brothers John and James sought their own kingdom glory. They selfishly asked to sit to the left and right of Jesus’ throne. Their kingdom view remained unglorified, focused on an earthly throne, not Heaven’s eternal throne. Peter, too, seemed unaffected as he would continue to push back against Jesus’ commitment to the cross. Peter, too, denied his relationship to Jesus three times as Jesus stood trial before the Jewish religious authorities. Seeing these disciples’ lives soon after the Transfiguration, we can wonder, “Did this view of Jesus’ glory serve any good purpose?”
   We can answer that as we stop to pay attention to our lives. If you’re paying attention, you will look at your life with God to see that every experience with him makes a difference in your life. Sometimes the change was immediate. More often experiencing God’s glorious love, forgiveness and mercy would affect your faith walk months and years later. When we look longer at the disciples’ lives, we know the Transfiguration did grow their faith and empower their lives.
   For example, Peter and John were the first two to run to the empty tomb. Surely they ministered, too, in great assurance the resurrected Christ was alive in his heavenly glory because they had seen his glory!
   Moreover, you can read in Acts 3-8 and 10 to see how Peter, the transfigured fisherman, passionately obeyed the Lord’s call to preach, heal, evangelize and defend the faith. Boldly he stood before the same rulers who killed Jesus to stand up for the living Jesus! Even more, other historical writings tell us of Peter’s great sufferings for Christ.
   Likewise, the Spirit transfigured John into a powerful evangelist and writer. Influenced with his view of Jesus’ glory, he would write his gospel with the theme of Jesus’ deity pouring from each page. Also, the visions of Revelation reaffirmed to John and to all of us that the glorious, transfigured Lord is coming at the end of the Age.
   As James, then, died a martyr in the early church, we can be sure he moved into this severe calling with a sure faith. How confidently he must have approached his death, how powerfully he must have witnessed of the Lord because he knew he was about to be transfigured from his earthly body into Heaven’s glory. How joyous he would have been to know he was soon to see the Transfigured Jesus face to face forever.
   Obviously, we can’t know specifically how Jesus’ Transfiguration affected these three. But we know this: No one can stand in God’s holy presence and remain unchanged.
   Are you transfigured in Christ? You are if you confess, “Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior. I confess my sins. I welcome you into my heart to love you in all aspects of my life.” In such a confession, the Spirit has come to transform your faith to believe in Jesus’ atoning blood for your life. He has made you transfigured in Christ as you come alive out of sin’s death into a radiant hope, love, joy, peace and beauty before the Lord.
   Look for and note Jesus’ glory in your life. See how he has changed you. Be in awe. Worship his saving death. Celebrate his glorious resurrection. Welcome his stunning love, Live in joy. Know the Spirit of God has transfigured you into the beauty of being one with God.  
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, transfigure my heart, mind and soul to daily and faithfully display your glory to the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.   

Luke 9:27 “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
 
THIS has been a challenging Scripture since Jesus first spoke these words. Some say Jesus was confused about when the Kingdom would come. “He didn’t know,” write the doubting “scholars”, “that the world would still be around at least another 2,000 years.” Some say Jesus didn’t know because, as we have discussed, Jesus sometimes displayed his humanity in a limited knowledge of events. Remember, he ministered in the Sprit’s power. Perhaps the Spirit did not reveal this future to Jesus. But it seems unlikely the Son of God would be limited in God’s purpose to point us to the end of time.
   To understand Jesus’ teaching, let’s define “Kingdom of God”. John the Baptist promised the Jews in Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven (God) is near.” Jesus then echoed those words as he began his ministry in Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of God (Some translations say “heaven”.) is near.” As “kingdom” relates to a king’s rule, John and Jesus told the Jews to expect a power change to rule the Jews.  
   Then Jesus defined the new power – a kingdom much different than the Jews anticipated: Luke 11:20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Clearly this is not an earthly rule. The Kingdom of God is God’s power to redeem mankind from Satan’s grasp. The apostle Paul teaches how God reveals his kingdom power within us. Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom had arrived with Jesus’ preaching and the Spirit’s power. When Jesus taught that some “will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” he was promising much more of God’s salvation power was about to be unleashed over the world. For example, three disciples would witness kingdom power in Jesus’ Transfiguration. Many more who stood with Jesus that day he spoke those words witnessed the kingdom come in glorious power through Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension. Even more people heard and saw the Holy Spirit’s kingdom rule come to earth on Pentecost to begin the church. The church became empowered to be the King’s governing body on earth.
   Through 2,000 years the Kingdom of God has powerfully spread throughout the earth. In almost every nation, God has established his righteousness, peace and joy in Jesus’ salvation. The Kingdom of God grows exponentially to free the world from Satan’s deadly hold.
   Be assured that one day the Kingdom of God will be God’s actual government over the new Heaven and new earth. Jesus, the Son of God, knew the time for that is in the Father’s hands. He was not confused about the kingdom come, but he spoke to surely encourage his disciples to remain faithful through the coming trials. He wanted to assure them they would live to see true Kingdom rule. His assurance is still for his disciples today.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for bringing the Kingdom of God to earth. Thank you for the Kingdom power in our midst today. Thank you for your eternal Kingdom to come in the Father’s time. Amen.