Luke 16:16
Jesus made a statement that challenges the casual approach many people have toward the things of God.
“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” — Luke 16:16
Notice the wording the Lord used. He did not say the Kingdom would be entered casually or by simple agreement. He said that men must press into it.
The word “press” speaks of effort, determination, and desire. It paints the picture of someone who sees something valuable ahead of them and refuses to remain where they are.
The Words of Jesus Challenge Casual Belief
In our modern religious culture, many have been taught that salvation requires little more than confession — a simple verbal acknowledgement of belief. Yet when we read the words of Jesus, we see a very different picture.
The Pursuit of the Kingdom
In fact, the Lord spoke often about seeking, knocking, striving, and entering in. These words therefore describe an active pursuit of God.
This is why the message of the Gospel always carries with it a call to transformation.
As a result, when a person truly begins to seek the Kingdom of God, something begins to happen within them.. Their heart changes. Their desires begin to shift. What once satisfied them no longer does. They begin to hunger for righteousness and truth.
This pressing is not about human effort earning salvation. Rather, it is the response of a heart that has seen the value of the Kingdom.
Jesus illustrated this in another place when He spoke of a man who found treasure hidden in a field. When the man realized the value of what he had discovered, he sold everything he had in order to obtain that field.
That is what happens when someone truly sees the Kingdom of God.
The question we must each ask ourselves is simple:
A Question for Our Hearts
How deeply do we desire the Kingdom of God?
Is our pursuit of God something casual and occasional? Or have we begun to press toward Him with a sincere heart?
“The words of Jesus remind us that the Kingdom is not something we drift into. It is something we pursue with faith, humility, purpose, and a heart that longs for truth.”
And the beautiful promise of Scripture is that those who truly seek Him will not seek in vain.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” — Matthew 5:6
Jesus said the Kingdom of God must be pressed into. What did He mean by pressing into the Kingdom of God?