PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 4:12-17
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17)
The phrase ‘kingdom of heaven’ is another way of saying ‘kingdom of God’.
It is not a different place (heaven), but a different king (God).
Jesus is saying, ‘open your eyes, pay attention, God is showing up!’
By kingdom is meant the power and authority of the king, in this case God.
The Jews were desperately hoping for God to show up and deal with Rome.
But they wanted power and authority LIKE Rome, to kick Rome’s behind.
“Say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:9-11)
Isaiah promises that Jesus will be a tender shepherd, not a violent ruler.
Which is why Jesus also called people to repent, or rethink the kingdom of God.
The power and authority to be revealed through Jesus will be gracious, merciful.
His mission is to restore the world with goodness, kindness, forgiveness, compassion.
This is how the kingdom of God comes near, and how we live as citizens of this kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord, may your kingdom come near in and through me, that others may experience the light of your gentle yet powerful love shining in their darkness too.
Jesus preaches: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Before it was John – but now Jesus. In both cases a response is needed. Both John and Jesus require us to repent of sinning and instead do the good. Jesus goes on to teach what that means – how we are to live – expanding on the Covenant of God – the first covenant as God gave Moses – Jesus reaches for the ‘heart’ – and Jesus knew what our repentance our growth in righteousness would cost him. Thank you Jesus for giving us the HS so that we may repent of the evil and resist temptation – but most of all for forgiveness that you’ve given us!
LightShine.
Jesus is the Light of the world showing you and me how to live. He was and still is the Light of the world and that Light needs to shine through you and me. Living for Jesus. Living as instruments of peace in His Kingdom. Kingdom builders. As His Light broke through the darkness may our lights also break through the darkness people live in showing the fruit of His Spirit living in us.
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain:
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!