For forty days, Jesus spoke about his Kingdom.  No other issue seems to be as important than that for Jesus.  He said again and again that he is bringing to reality, on the earth, the Kingdom of God.  His listeners were confused because the way he talked about his Kingdom contradicted their previously held beliefs.  They believed in a tangible, physical, powerful kingdom, like King David’s.

This was a major reason that the Jewish authorities wanted Jesus killed, done away with.  His teaching about his Kingdom contradicted their own state-centered view.  The Kingdom that Jesus spoke and promised was in no way like a nation.  It was spiritual.

He taught, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Luke 17:20 – 21

This view of the Kingdom was so contrary to the ways the Jewish teachers and authorities taught that they failed completely to hear what Jesus was announcing, that his Kingdom is already here, unseen so unrecognized. It has no political power nor military might. It is a spiritual Kingdom.

I do believe that some Christians today have an Old Testament view of the Kingdom – a visible, powerful uniting political movement that is backed by armed power.  European church history describes this idea.

After 40 days Jesus ascended and opened the eyes of his disciples and others to see the Kingdom he came to establish.  Only converted minds can comprehend it.