What IS the Kingdom of God, anyway?

I've addressed this a few times already. But Jesus talked about it a lot, so I figure I can do so without apology.

But what IS the Kingdom of God? Of what does it consist?

You remember the parable of the Sower and the seed, right? Click here for it.

Now, the way that parable is usually preached draws our attention to this question: "What kind of soil... are YOU???"

I submit that that is not a bad nor inappropriate question, but not Jesus' focus. In verse 11, he calls this teaching a secret of the Kingdom of Heaven. So this parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven - Jesus' Kingdom - Jesus' reign.

Now here's the absolute shock - Jesus says his reign will be invisible until the end, have varying effects, and will consist in a message!

It will be invisible 'til the end: people's reaction to Jesus' reign will be different. Even those who 'bear fruit' will do so as a result of the reign of Jesus, our Savior and God. The emphasis isn't on differing quantities of fruit - it's on Jesus' reign being invisible until the end.

It has different effects: not only does Jesus cause fruitbearing of differing amounts - all within a normal range - but he also governs a world in which his Kingdom is beset by his enemies - and his reign is not yet made visible.

Now here's my point: Jesus' reign now consists in a message - HIS message. After all, did the Lord not say, " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away"(Matt. 24:25)? Is the future effect of eternal salvation not governed by the message which he was sent by the Father to deliver?

It is. True Christianity is therefore about words - specifically - about God's words. And in these words, Jesus' reigns and changes the world - indeed, the eternities of people.

This should give us occasion for two things -
1) Wonder. Let us wonder and worship at Jesus' sovereign power in reigning through his word!
2) Speak the truth. Jesus delivered a word for us. How is it that we might not pay attention? And if we do pay attention, how is it that we might not speak his words? If we say we care and don't speak - we don't care.

But thank God that he reigns through his words - and he transforms us by them! Pay attention!