HO ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD? Who will inherit the kingdom of God? These were the questions heavy on the minds of the Jewish people when Jesus began His public ministry. There was a great debate among the various parties of the Jewish people about how God’s kingdom would finally be restored to Israel.

 

For the Pharisees outward, ritual purity was the way to please God and facilitate God’s reign. For the Essenes separation and isolation from the world were the way to usher in God’s kingdom. For the Sadducees practical accommodations had to be made: a strategic partnership with the Roman Empire was necessary to accomplish God’s ultimate ends. Finally, for the Zealots violent revolution was the only way. Through military might, the pagan empire would be cut down and God would reign, at »