Prior to Jesus' coming every culture, even to our present age, has sought and yearned for eternal life. All men instinctively know that they didn’t make the stars that shine at night. And, they want to live forever with the One who did.

Men see and fear the mystery of death. They know there is something more, perhaps good, beyond them. This gives them hope and help to endure the difficulties and suffering in their earthly sojourn..

Jesus came into this world with an astounding and unique message. He claimed to personally know the Creator - the One that everybody sought. He said He was God’s own Son and God’s appointed Way to enter eternal life. He spoke and acted like He knew everything about the Ancient of Days. He even called Him His Father.

The sons of men had never heard such ‘strange’ news. They were curious, yet suspicious. Jesus knew this and was intent on explaining the Kingdom He introduced. He told stories to open their imaginations; revealing things they’d never known. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

People were amazed at His words, and marveled at His deeds. Jesus told them that if they believed in Him they could know God and live forever with Him. He said God was their Father, too. He said they did not have to wait until they died to have this promise of life. They could have it right now, for He declared, behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Lk 17:21

The world has always had its storytellers. Some dazzle, some enthrall, and some delude. Jesus presented His glorious Kingdom, not merely by telling, but by showing the greatness of its power. He laid it all on the line saying, If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me (my words), believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father. Jn 10:37-38

So no one could accuse Him of spinning fantastic tales, Jesus tied the veracity of His words about this Kingdom to the performance of its miracles, signs and wonders.

For three years Jesus trained His followers how to show and tell His story. When He left the earth, He commissioned them to make new followers all over the world - teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Mt 28:20

Jesus insisted that they wait a little while for something very important - something they could not do without. He and the Father would send the Holy Spirit to live inside them. He would be the ability for them, that Jesus needed, to show and tell people about the Kingdom in the Heavens. He knew that His followers could not convince people of the truth with mere words. They would need the same power He had. Otherwise, they could not tell the same story He told.

And so, Jesus ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. Having all authority in Heaven and in earth, He fulfilled His promise by sending the Holy Spirit into His disciples . . . Jesus’ presence abiding in them. Now fully equipped to establish the Kingdom He brought, He assured them, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Mt 28:20

Some believers imagine that when Jesus comes back again, He will bring the miracles the signs and the wonders of the Kingdom with Him. Then, the healing rivers will flow. Then, the captives will be set free. Like men from all ages past, they still long for the blessings of the heavens that lay just beyond reach. 'It will happen one day, perhaps, when we die or when Jesus returns.'

Why would this Son of God train His followers to establish and perpetuate His Kingdom? Why give them such responsibility in the earth and yet withhold the miraculous power to carry it out? Why would our King make us wait for something He'd already given us when He first appeared?

For newly created sons and daughters of the Kingdom of God, the wait is over. Sure, there’s even more to come. But we’ve barely noticed what is now ours. If we must look to the future, may our expectations be just like His:

However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Lk 18:8