Seek First the Kingdom and His Righteousness

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness

We are so preoccupied with daily concerns, what we eat, what we wear, paying the bills, homeschooling–but Jesus commands a higher purpose to “hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

What is the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus’ preaching. The Hebrews did not use the sacred name of God. Many times they used the expression Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God-just as today we say, “Heaven help me.” We are not asking for heaven’s help. We are asking for God’s help.

Look at the phrase “The Kingdom of God has come near you” (Luke 10:9-11). The Kingdom of Heaven or God is described by most commentaries as God’s kingdom to come sometime in the future. Some teach it means the second coming of Christ (Jesus called the second coming “the coming of the Son of Man”).

The Greek word engiken means “about to appear” or “is almost here.” However, if it is translated back to Hebrew-the verb karav means “to come up to,” “to be where something or someone is.” In the Greek the Kingdom is at a distance. In the Hebrew-it is here! Jesus’ Messiahship is present here and now. The kingdom is God’s active rule over his creation.

The “Kingdom of Heaven” is not futuristic, but rather a present reality wherever God is ruling…when one is able to put [Greek] passages back into Hebrew, it is immediately obvious that the Kingdom has already arrived, is in fact already here-almost the exact opposite of the Greek meaning (Bivin, Blizzard 1995).

Jesus Himself proclaimed that the Kingdom was at hand. This proclamation involved an awakening cry of sensational and universal significance. He was referring to Himself as the King being at hand-being present. He was already present in his person, He is the King. For one to follow Him he had to make Him his King and follow His rules.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 7:21) takes on a whole new meaning. It is not heaven that they won’t be entering. It is His Kingdom now, of peace, following His ways (Wilson 1989).

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven also takes on a new meaning.

In several parables Jesus illustrated the Kingdom. The rich fool (Luke 13-21) depended on the wealth he had accumulated to take care of him in the future, but God promises He will meet the needs of those who seek His kingdom.

Our focus should be to long for God’s kingdom and His righteousness, to look for it, to pray for it, and work for it, hunger and thirst for it –here and now! God is our “very present help in trouble.” The Hebrew word for “present” (Strong’s #4672) can mean to be found, to be encountered, to be discovered, detected, recognized, to prove to be, to be found sufficient, or to be enough.

By eating and drinking of his true food and drink, we shall be satisfied now. We can experience victory over sin, over spiritual attacks. We have salvation, the forgiveness of sins, the love of the father, the Holy Spirit of God, to enjoy and walk in daily now. Resist seeking the things of this life (Luke 12:30) and live like the children of God–under His holy reign.

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