Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. (John 14:22-24)

The True Nature Of The Kingdom

In the final hours of Jesus’ life, He used the time to encourage and admonish the remaining disciples. Shortly before leaving the upper room, Jesus tells the remaining eleven not to be troubled at the events that would transpire. Jesus was fulfilling His Father’s will. The eleven did not understand how important Jesus’ sacrifice would be. They still viewed the work of Jesus as an earthly mission to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus was leaving for a place they could not imagine. Thomas wanted to know where Jesus was going. The Lord replied that He was the way, the truth, and the life, signifying that the path to the Father was a spiritual journey. Philip wanted Jesus to reveal the Father more fully. Jesus promises to send another Helper, the Holy Spirit.

The disciples could not see the spiritual kingdom Jesus was going to establish, as their carnal eyes could only see the physical. Jesus said He would manifest Himself to the world, but the world would no longer see Him. The disciples would see Him but not the world. Judas (not Iscariot; identified as Thaddeus) was puzzled how Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom and the world would not see it. He wondered how it was possible Jesus would manifest Himself to the eleven and not to the world. It was here that Jesus explained the nature of the kingdom. God never intended for Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom or restore the kingdom to Israel. The nation of Israel would never be the people of God. Jesus was showing the eleven the nature of the kingdom of Christ for those who loved and obeyed the word of God. Those who do not keep the word of God do not love God.

The indwelling of the Divine is found in the hearts of those who seek the will of the Father and follow His commandments. God loves those who keep His word. He will come to them, and the Divine will make their home in the hearts of the obedient. Peace comes from obedience. The nature of the kingdom is not about the carnal. Jesus taught that worship must be in spirit and truth. The commandments of the Lord are necessary to worship in the proper spirit. Jesus was telling His disciples that the nature of His kingdom is devotion given to loving God above all else. Those who refuse to follow His will do not love Him. Love for God is not merely an emotional feeling of recognition. Obedience shows the will of the heart serving the will of the Lord.

Jesus left the upper room with the eleven and went to Gethsemane. Judas Iscariot brought the mob to arrest Jesus, and the next day Jesus was crucified. The death of Jesus shows the love of God and the love of His Son to obey His will. His pattern of suffering is one for all who want to be part of the kingdom of God. Love requires sacrifice. Obedience is love. Loving God is keeping His commandments. That is the nature of His kingdom.