Prepared For The Kingdom Of God
LENT DEVOTIONAL 2026 | DAY 30
Luke 17:20–37 (NIV)
By Gordon Tan, Lay Leader Representative
READ:
Luke 17:20–37 (NIV)
The following verses caught my attention:
Luke 17:20b, 21
“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 17:32, 33
Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.
When Jesus was asked when the Kingdom of God will come, he gave two sets of replies. One to the Pharisees and another to his disciples. When responding to the cynical challenges of the Pharisees, he corrects their understanding by saying that the Kingdom of God is not to be understood in political or organisational terms, but it is “in your midst”. Then, turning to his disciples, he warned that the Son of Man will be taken away but will return suddenly. And then he adds that they should be vigilant and not be lulled into complacency in their lifestyle when he returns.
If I were to be a member of a Welcoming and Caring church, I would learn to see the Kingdom of God in people. In doing so, I need to be less judgemental but more empathetic; I should not be critical but ready to extend help where there is a need; I should keep from gossiping and be affirming and encouraging instead. And if I were to heed Jesus’ warning, I need to constantly be prepared to shift my lifestyle so that I am always ready for His coming. In this aspect, I must be cognizant of the words “Remember Lot’s wife!”. I must live a life of “no looking back”; of not having even the slightest tinge of regret for leaving that sinful lifestyle.
I want to be missional and intentional in living each day. Whilst it was painful to leave a lucrative banking job to become a counsellor to help those God placed in my care, I still have days when I reminisce about the luxurious lifestyle I enjoyed. Each time this happens, I remind myself of what Jesus exhorts. I can see that not only do I need to turn away from lusting after old carnal desires, I need to find joy in following what God says, and live as He tells me to. And when I do this more and more, I will be more prepared when the Kingdom of God comes. And the Kingdom of God will come when I am least expecting it.
[ Reflection Questions ]
- In what way do our unkind words make us a stumbling block for others to the Kingdom of God?
- How can we deal with the constant tug of sinful desires?
- What can help us look joyfully to our Lord’s coming, rather than be fearful about it?
