Kingdom Airlines

David Wenham provides an effective illustration of the "already/not yet" nature of the kingdom of God, and what it means for disciples living in this age between the kingdom's inauguration and its consummation.

Joining the revolution is a bit like being in a foreign country and boarding a plane of one's own national airline to return home: already in the plane the language and customs of the home country are used. So the revolution of God as brought by Jesus means beginning to experience the life of the future kingdom and being called to live by its standards, though still en route. The standards of the kingdom of God are perfection, naturally. Jesus knows that his disciples will fail; so he teaches them to ask for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer. But he still calls them to be light and salt in the world. He also...promises them the Father's help and the Holy Spirit's presence, which is what makes the apparently impossible excitingly possible (see Mt. 19:26).

David Wenham, The Parables of Jesus (p. 177)