Meaning of Matthew 6:10

This petition from the Lord's Prayer, "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," expresses a profound longing for the complete establishment of God's reign and the perfect alignment of earthly reality with His divine purposes. It is not merely a passive wish, but an active desire for the inauguration of God's sovereign rule, characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy, to be fully realized in the created world, mirroring the flawless execution of His will in the celestial realm. This prayer acknowledges humanity's current fallen state and the pervasive presence of sin and disorder, while simultaneously articulating an eschatological hope for the ultimate triumph of God's perfect order and love.

Context and Background

This verse is part of the Lord's Prayer, a model prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). The prayer is structured around six petitions, with the first three focusing on God's glory and kingdom, and the latter three on human needs. The phrase "your kingdom come" alludes to the Old Testament concept of God's kingship and the anticipated Messianic age when His rule would be fully manifested. Jesus' ministry itself was a powerful demonstration that the kingdom of God had indeed "come near" (Matthew 4:17). This petition, therefore, is a prayer for the consummation of that kingdom, for its full and visible realization.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty: The prayer centers on God's ultimate authority and rightful reign. It is an affirmation that He is the sovereign King and that His rule is the ultimate reality.
• Eschatological Hope: It expresses anticipation for the future, for the completion of God's redemptive plan, often referred to as the "kingdom of heaven" or the "kingdom of God." This includes the return of Christ and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth.
• Alignment of Will: The parallel structure, "your kingdom come, your will be done," emphasizes the inseparable link between God's reign and the execution of His perfect, loving, and holy will. Where God reigns, His will is perfectly enacted.
• Earthly Transformation: The phrase "on earth as it is in heaven" signifies a desire for the present world to be transformed and conformed to the perfect order and reality of God's heavenly domain.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This petition calls believers to actively participate in God's kingdom, not just to await its future arrival. It encourages a mindset of submission to God's will in all circumstances, seeking to live in ways that reflect heavenly principles here and now. It fosters a commitment to justice, mercy, and love, actively working to bring about the values of God's kingdom in personal lives, communities, and the world. It also cultivates a posture of humility, recognizing that true transformation and fulfillment are dependent on God's sovereign power.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The theme of God's kingdom is central to the entire biblical narrative, from God's creation and covenant with Israel to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the promises of a renewed creation in Revelation. The prophets spoke of a future king and a kingdom of peace and righteousness. Jesus declared its arrival and inaugurated it through His life, death, and resurrection. The Church is seen as the present manifestation and agent of this kingdom, living in anticipation of its full consummation. This petition encapsulates the longing for the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises.

Analogies

• A King's Decree: Imagine a just and benevolent king issuing a decree that will bring order and prosperity to his realm. This petition is like praying for that decree to be fully enacted and universally obeyed throughout the land.
• A Perfect Blueprint: Think of a master architect with a perfect blueprint for a magnificent building. This prayer is for that blueprint to be flawlessly executed in every detail, transforming the raw materials of earth into God's intended dwelling.
• A Physician's Healing: Consider a skilled physician who has the cure for a widespread illness. This prayer is for that cure to be completely administered, eradicating all sickness and restoring perfect health to the patient (humanity and creation).

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 4:17: "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" This verse highlights the present reality of the kingdom that Jesus inaugurated, which this petition seeks to see fully consummated.
• 1 Corinthians 15:24-28: This passage speaks of Christ's eventual triumph over all rule and authority, culminating in God being "all in all," which is the ultimate expression of God's kingdom and will.
• Revelation 21:1-4: This prophetic vision describes the new heaven and new earth where God dwells with His people, and "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." This is the ultimate realization of God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven.
• Colossians 1:13-14: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." This verse speaks of our present entry into God's kingdom through Christ, motivating us to pray for its full manifestation.