The Scope of God’s Kingdom

Scripture: Luke 4:38-44
Title: The Scope of God’s Kingdom

Jesus knew He was the Christ. Even the demons acknowledged this fact. However, people often didn’t recognize Him for who He truly was.

“Who is Jesus?” This question not only helps us understand Him better but also leads us to ask, “Who are we? Who should we be?”

The people of Jesus’ hometown rejected Him. They thought they knew Him as the son of Joseph, a boy who grew up in their small community. They saw Him as part of a simple household, not as the Son of God. Their lack of understanding caused them to reject Him.

There’s a saying: “The darkest place is under the lamp.” Sometimes being close to someone doesn’t mean you truly know them. Like someone who is blind, we can fail to see what’s right in front of us.

One time, I was searching for my red pants. I looked everywhere but couldn’t find them. I decided to wear black pants instead. But as I brought them into better light, I realized the black pants were actually red! It was the poor lighting that misled me. This experience reminded me that what we see isn’t always the full picture.

How do we see Jesus? In darkness, we may see Him incorrectly. In light, we can see Him clearly. Judging based on appearances or assumptions can lead to mistakes.

In contrast to His hometown, the people of Galilee sought Jesus. They didn’t want Him to leave because He healed their diseases. They recognized His power and wanted to keep Him nearby.

One day, Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. Interestingly, it wasn’t Simon or his mother-in-law who asked for healing. Someone else made the request on her behalf. This act of interceding for others is an example of kindness and love.

Later, many people came to Jesus for healing, even after sunset—when most would rest. Jesus healed each one personally, laying hands on them. Even demons cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God!” However, Jesus silenced them. Their knowledge wasn’t faith; it was fear.

When the people saw these miracles, they wanted to keep Jesus in their town. They thought having Him nearby would solve all their problems. But this desire was selfish. They saw Jesus only as someone to benefit their own community.

Jesus, however, rejected this request. His mission wasn’t just for one town, one nation, or one group of people. He came to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom to all people.

If we limit Jesus to our own group, we turn Him into a symbol of selfishness. Some might even reduce Him to a figure for their church, denomination, or nation. But Jesus is not just for one place or people. He is the Son of God, sent to bring salvation to the whole world.

The Apostle Paul understood this, and even Peter came to realize it through a vision from God. When Peter saw a vision of unclean animals and heard God telling him to eat, he initially resisted. But God revealed that His message wasn’t only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles.

God’s kingdom isn’t confined to one town, one nation, or even this Earth. God is the Creator of the universe. Just as humans plan to reach Mars, we must expand our understanding of God’s kingdom to include the entire cosmos.

As God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
He promised that the sea would flourish like the sand on the beach. Who can count the stars? Who can count all the grains of sand? We can see that only God can do it. Yes, God is in the whole universe and even in a tiny grain of sand. If our hearts are also the realm where God rules, then it is God’s kingdom. The same goes for other people.
Let us expand our faith beyond the limits of our immediate surroundings. May we embrace the vastness of God’s kingdom and live as citizens of His eternal, universal reign.

Amen.