Did Jesus Fail To Set Up The Kingdom?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
Those who propose a future kingdom on earth reject the fact that the Lord’s church is the Kingdom of God.
The kingdom (the church) was established in the first century in the city of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (see previous two articles, “Is The Kingdom Not The Church?” Pt. 1 and Pt. 2).
In this article, we want to ask and answer a simple question: Did Jesus fail to set up the Kingdom?”
The Feeding of the 5,000.
We begin to answer this question by joining the five thousand plus. The miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand plus is the only miracle (other than the resurrection) that all four Gospel account writers include (Matt. 14:21; Mark 6:44; Luke 9:14; John 6:10).
After Jesus successfully fed the multitude, the people came to anoint Him as king. Consider what John penned by inspiration:
“Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone” (John 6:15).
Wouldn’t this have been a perfect time for Jesus to accept that He would “reign as king on earth?” Instead of accepting the title, notice that Jesus rejected this and departed!
The kingdom they were seeking was a military powerhouse to help them overthrow Rome. They were seeking a Messiah Who would come and establish an earthly kingdom that would make them prominent and powerful among the nations.
They completely missed and misunderstood the mission and purpose of Jesus’ ministry!
The Garden of Gethsemane.
Now, let us go to the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17).
Jesus prayed intensely and intentionally to His Father. This beautiful prayer is the Lord’s prayer (not to be confused with the “Model Prayer” of Matthew 6).
While Matthew, Mark, and Luke focus on the agony and sorrow, John points to the victory that Jesus would inevitably gain by accomplishing the mission for which He was sent:
“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:4-5).
Notice the tense of the verbs, “I have glorified,” and “I have finished.” Jesus had not yet been nailed to the cross, but He speaks with such confidence knowing that He is doing exactly what the Father sent Him to do and that He would endure to the end (Heb. 12:1-2).
Jesus was so committed to finishing and completing the work that He spoke as if it had already been accomplished!
The Praetorium.
We now go into the Praetorium (Governor Pilate’s headquarters) (John 18:28-40). Jesus is asked about His Kingship. To Pilate, whether or not Jesus was the Messiah had no bearing on his life (John 18:35a); however, if Jesus was there to pose a serious threat to Rome, then Pilate would have been very much concerned! Pilate simply asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews” (John 18:33)?
Jesus’ response is very interesting: “Are you speaking for yourself…?” In other words, Jesus wants to know Pilate’s motive in asking the question (even though Jesus could penetrate Pilate’s heart and mind). Pilate then asked Jesus what He had done.
The answer Jesus gives Him is very pertinent to our study:
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).
The Kingdom then is spiritual in nature! Does this allow for an earthly kingdom? Does this allow for a reign on earth?
Did Jesus Succeed in Doing the Father’s Will?
Finally, let us consider the evidence throughout the New Testament. Was Jesus successful or did He fail to do the will of His Father?
When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished” from the cross, He affirmed that He was in fact successful in completing Heaven’s will!
He was the sin offering (2 Cor. 5:10), the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:1-2), the Lamb of God Who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Jesus perfectly completed His mission!
He ALWAYS did that which pleased the Father (John 8:29) and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).
To call Jesus a failure is blasphemous! Death itself did not prevent Jesus from setting up the Kingdom:
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).
Now that the evidence has been provided, what do you now believe? Was Jesus a failure? Is the kingdom yet future? You decide as you draw the conclusions from studying what God says (2 Tim. 2:15).
May we all see the truth as it is revealed and submit to the will of God!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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