The expected kingdom

Jesus knew that those who listened did not understand what He meant by the kingdom of heaven. But it is the nature of all languages that they must be learned from context. Little children learn to understand speech and speak effectively, long before they can grasp the rules and definitions of their language. Jesus preached in the context of an outward demonstration of power. Even if those who listened could not concisely define the kingdom of heaven, they saw what the kingdom being near was like. Things happened; things that no one could make happen happened. Something was at work that they could not see, nor could they explain. But these things happened around the person of Jesus. Those who were near Him were healed; those who were near Him were set free from bondages. This is what Jesus used to explain what He meant by the kingdom of God.

But those who listened hoped for an earthly kingdom. Israel had a great king at one time: David the king had expanded the authority of his kingdom over all of the nations around Israel. But the kings of Israel were gone; the Gentile nations had dominated them for centuries. For a time, the kingdom of Israel had been restored under the Maccabees. A family of high priests descended from the Maccabees had ruled as kings for years. But through many internal conflicts the nation had become subject to the Roman Empire; the Roman emperor held authority over the land. Those who reigned or governed that region did so under the authority of Caesar.

For those who listened to Jesus, their kingdom of heaven could only be realized in the person of a king, a king like David. This king would lead them in war against the nations that had dominated them. This is what they had been taught; this was their hope. Their Messiah would lead them against their enemies.

But Jesus used "kingdom of heaven" in a far different way.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

A kingdom must have soldiers, yet Jesus implied that those who are weak are the ones who own the kingdom of heaven. How can the weak stand against the Roman legions?

Jesus spoke in their language, but in new ways. He spoke about a kingdom far different than the kingdom of David. The more He spoke, the more they probably realized they did not understand Him.

The kingdom of heaven was at work in front of them, but they were looking for something else. Even John the Baptist did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah because of this.

"Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples, and said to Him, 'Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?'" Matthew 11:2-3

John the Baptist had himself preached that the kingdom of heaven is near, but he did not recognize it when he heard of it. He expected something else.