May 13

And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, — Luke 22:29 BSB

Who is this kingdom for? Is it for the proud, the presumptuous, the hypocritical, or the self-righteous? No, it is not for them. Jesus said, “I appoint to you”—to those “who have continued with me in my temptations”—to those who are tempted, tested, and walk the paths of tribulation, following in the footsteps of a suffering Savior. This kingdom is for those who experience painful temptations, yet find strength in their inner being to resist sin, even to the point of shedding blood, so they are not carried away or overcome by it.

What is this kingdom? It is the same kingdom the Father gave to Jesus: “I appoint to you a kingdom, just as my Father has appointed to me.” What is the kingdom that God the Father gave to His Son? Is it an earthly throne, with a crown and a scepter? No, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The kingdom given to the Lord of life and glory was to end sin, abolish death, and destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil. It is to reign spiritually in the hearts of His chosen ones, to be King and Lord over Zion, ruling over the willing affections of His people. It is a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit—a kingdom of grace established by the Spirit in the hearts of believers. Only those born of the Spirit can see or enter this spiritual kingdom.

Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual, and it involves having a people who see Him as He is, who glorify Him, who love Him, and whom He loves in return. In an earthly kingdom, a king cannot give his kingdom to his subjects without losing his authority, turning the monarchy into a republic. But a spiritual kingdom is different. Jesus does not diminish His grace by sharing it with His people, nor does He lose His joy by pouring it into their hearts. The sun loses no light or warmth, despite the countless rays it has given off since creation. Similarly, the Sun of Righteousness loses nothing of His fullness when He shares His grace and glory. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, unexhausted and inexhaustible.

This kingdom, which Jesus gives to His tempted and tried disciples, is the kingdom of grace in the heart—the kingdom of God within the soul. It is the presence of Jesus Himself. This is the kingdom spoken of in Daniel 2:44, set up on the ruins of all other kingdoms, breaking them in pieces.