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Chapter 55—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 at every step had opposed Jesus were
insinuating that His mission had failed.
Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward
show [‘signs to be observed,’ RSV]: 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 for earthly power to
mark its coming.
“The days will come,” Jesus 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.” You do not realize how great is your present privilege in
having among you Him who is the life and light of men. 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 Saviour’s character and
mission. They began to realize they had been in the very presence
of the Lord of glory. See
John 1:14
. Their minds were opened to
comprehend the prophecies and to understand the miracles He had
wrought. They were as men awakened from a dream. The disciples
never wearied of rehearsing Christ’s words and works. His lessons
now came as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a
new book.
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As the disciples searched the prophecies that testified of Christ,
they were brought into fellowship with the Deity, and learned of Him
who had ascended to heaven to complete the work He had begun
on earth. With amazement they reread the prophetic delineations
of His character and work. How dimly had they comprehended the
prophetic scriptures! Looking upon Him as He walked a man among
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