Jesus' Equation

Many in the so-called “Christian” religious world focused last week on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. His death was the most unjust event that has ever occurred. Yet, it was in His death that His blood was shed for the sins of all mankind. Those who obey His commands will receive the forgiveness of sins through His blood. All faithful Christians remember Jesus’ death each first day of the week in the Supper He instituted (Acts 20:7). As He spoke with the eleven just before His betrayal and trial, He said He would not drink the fruit of the vine with them again “until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).

What about Jesus’ kingdom? Some religious people today say He did not establish His kingdom, as He promised, but that the kingdom is yet in the future. Let the Bible answer: “Blessed art thou, Simon bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17-19). Did Jesus lie? Did He speak falsely when He said that Peter would be given the keys of the kingdom of heaven? Let us look at more from Matthew 16:28: “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”

Peter, just 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus, used the keys given him by Jesus, and opened the door to the kingdom of heaven. Being guided by the Holy Spirit, he, and the 11 with him, told their hearers how to enter the kingdom: “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Paul knew the kingdom was already in existence, for he said the Father “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Jesus, the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15), has established His kingdom, and all Christians are in it!