Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 4Sample

So, when we find Jesus beginning his public ministry with the words: "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news", Jesus was tapping into a long-cherished hope for a NEW Exodus – a new temple – a reconstitution of the 12 tribes – a renewal of the covenant – forgiveness of sins – the release of captivity – an era/period of justice and peace and an end to foreign rule because, in short, Jesus is now the Messiah – the anointed King and where there is a King there is a Kingdom – so, the hope that God’s Kingdom will come.

The Jews often, out of respect for God, would use the word “heaven” when talking about God.

In Mark’s Gospel it is recorded that Jesus said: "Time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand."

So the claim Jesus is making with this announcement, in other words, is God was now unveiling his age-old plan. God is bringing his rulership to Israel and the world as he had always intended – bringing justice and mercy to ALL. And he was doing so – through JESUS.

Jesus was declaring that the clock was standing at 10 seconds to midnight – that D-Day had arrived – that Israel’s God was at last becoming King.

He is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth.

Now that He has invited us in to be part of this New Kingdom Movement, let us proclaim His Lordship in every aspect of our lives as well as every sphere of society.