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As Jesus announced the coming of God’s Kingdom, throughout the Gospels we see that his Kingdom did not operate upon the principles of worldly kingdoms (“not of this world”). This doesn’t mean that the Kingdom of God is not for this world. The very word “kingdom” is inherently political, meaning “the king’s domain.”

black framed glass window with womans face — Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Modern Christians often miss the explicitly political language of the New Testament. The phrases “Jesus is Lord” and “Son of God” were, in Jesus’ day, an affront to Caesar. It was Caesar who rode into cities on a war horse demanding people’s allegiance, promising an age of peace won by violence, and demanding submission. In contrast, Jesus came promising the life of the age to come (“eternal life”) through faith in him, a peace that was not won through violence, but through the forgiveness of sins and allegiance to him.

To give allegiance to Jesus Christ is to declare the power and authority of Rome is illegitimate. This is how the gospel is a direct challenge to the state and to its power. In part, when Christians invite others to believe the gospel, they are inviting them to declare allegiance to God, not the state.

Jesus said his Kingdom was not of this world…