You asked

what 'kingdom' might we be called to inherit or embody in our own contexts?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Matthew 25:34

“Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’”

This verse is part of Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats, found in the Gospel of Matthew. It's spoken to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, just a few days before his crucifixion, as he teaches about the end times and the final judgment, emphasizing how people will be judged based on their actions towards 'the least of these.'

What does it look like to live today as if inheriting a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world?

Then — the setting

This passage comes from Jesus' final teachings in Matthew, likely delivered around 30-33 CE to his Jewish disciples in Judea, prior to his arrest and crucifixion. The concept of a 'kingdom' was deeply rooted in Jewish eschatological hopes, referring to God's ultimate reign, often expected to be established through a Messiah, bringing justice and peace to Israel and the world. Jesus reinterprets this political and national expectation to include a spiritual and ethical dimension, emphasizing actions of love and compassion.

Across the Testaments

In the Old Testament, the 'kingdom' often refers to God's universal sovereignty and his special covenantal rule over Israel (e.g., Psalm 145:11-13). It is typically portrayed as a future hope, when God will fully establish his righteous reign on earth, often through a Davidic king (e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7). The New Testament, particularly through Jesus' teachings, affirms God's ultimate sovereignty but significantly expands the understanding of the 'kingdom' as both a present reality (already inaugurated in Jesus' ministry) and a future hope (not yet fully consummated, as seen in this passage about final inheritance). It shifts focus from an earthly political entity to a spiritual realm characterized by God's rule in hearts and actions, culminating in a renewed creation.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Luke 17:20-21
Jesus also teaches that the 'kingdom of God is within you' or 'among you,' suggesting an inward and present reality.
Revelation 21:1-4
This passage describes the 'new heaven and new earth' as a final, realized kingdom where God dwells with humanity.
Romans 14:17
Paul explains that the kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,' highlighting its moral and spiritual nature.

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