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Not With Outward Show
This chapter is based on Luke 17:20-22.
More than three years had passed since John the Baptist gave the
message, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 3:2
. Many
of those who rejected John and had opposed Jesus at every step were
suggesting that His mission had failed.
Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God does not come with
observation [
“things that can be observed,” NRSV
], nor will they
say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is
within you.” The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Do not expect
earthly power to mark its coming.
“The days will come,” Jesus said, turning to His disciples, “when
you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you
will not see it.” You do not realize what a great privilege is now
yours in having among you the One who is the Life and Light of
humanity. You will look back with longing on the opportunities you
now enjoy to walk and talk with the Son of God.
Not until after Christ’s ascension and the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit did the disciples fully appreciate the Savior’s character and
mission. They began to realize that they had been in the very pres-
ence of the Lord of glory. See
John 1:14
. Their minds were opened
to comprehend the prophecies and to understand the miracles He
had performed. They were like people awakened from a dream. The
disciples never tired of going over Christ’s words and works. His
lessons now came as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became a
new book to them.
As the disciples searched the prophecies that testified about
Christ, they came into fellowship with the Deity. They learned from
Him who had ascended to heaven to complete the work He had begun
on earth. With amazement they reread the prophetic descriptions
of His character and work. How dimly had they understood the
prophetic scriptures! Looking on Him as He walked as a Man among
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