JesusJesus had a vision of how the world was meant to be. It grabbed hold of his life and powerfully shaped his identity and life’s work. He called the vision the kingdom of God. His mission and message centered on that one single thing. Everything else he taught was related to this bit of good news in some way. Love, compassion, generosity, service, and just were all com-ponent parts. He talked, taught, and modeled the kingdom of God more than anything else. He never defined exactly what he meant by the term kingdom of God, but instead described it’s contours with story and parable, involving everyday things like seeds, leaven, salt, pearls, and lost coins. This section will examine some traditional interpretations of the kingdom of God, and then will offer an alternative view of the kingdom as the vision of Jesus for a better world.

 

 

the reign of God