THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 4:23-25
“Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23)
Do you think much about the kingdom of God?
Probably more than you realize, though not in those terms.
Do you want a sick person healed, or a broken marriage restored?
Do you wish for the end of the Refugee crisis, or food to feed your family?
Do you long for safety in your neighborhood, or justice for the oppressed?
Do sexual abuse, child abuse, poverty, crime or racial inequality anger you?
These are all motivated by the kingdom dream, God’s world as it was meant to be.
By announcing God’s kingdom, and healing sick people, Jesus is saying NOW is the time!
God is doing something in the world, and you can be part of it.
Sickness is but one example of the many symptoms of a God-less world.
These miracles add weight to Jesus’ declaration, they back up His claim.
But the miracles are signs of the kingdom, not the kingdom itself.
As we will see, the kingdom is first and foremost within us, our hearts response to God.
By surrendering our hearts to God and His kingdom dream, the other things will work out.
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
In other words, the desire for peace in the world should begin with the need for peace within.
To seek the kingdom is to seek to be changed into a kingdom citizen, to live God’s way in the world.
And the good news is, Jesus makes this possible!
Surrender to Jesus, and He will give you His Spirit to produce His kingdom life in us.
Do you think much about the kingdom of God… do you want it?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I see in You the glory of how things should be. Awaken the dream within me, and may Your kingdom come in my life, as it is in heaven in You!