Chapter 55—Not With Outward Show
This chapter is based on
Luke 17:20-22
.
Some of the Pharisees had come to Jesus demanding “when the
kingdom of God should come.” More than three years had passed since
John the Baptist gave the message that like a trumpet call had sounded
through the land, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:2
.
And as yet these Pharisees saw no indication of the establishment of
the kingdom. Many of those who rejected John, and at every step had
opposed Jesus, were insinuating that His mission had failed.
Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward
show; [margin]: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for,
behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God
begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly
power to mark its coming.
“The days will come,” He said, turning to His disciples, “when ye
shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not
see it.” Because it is not attended by worldly pomp, you are in danger
of failing to discern the glory of My mission. You do not realize how
great is your present privilege in having among you, though veiled
in humanity, Him who is the life and the light of men. The days will
come when you will look back with longing upon the opportunities
you now enjoy to walk and talk with the Son of God.
Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even the disciples
of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought
[507]
to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ’s ascension to His
Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that
the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour’s character and mission.
After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize
that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the
sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were
opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles
which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them,
430