Who’s next
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12-17
Here we go! Jesus begins His public ministry and surprisingly, His message is the same as John the Baptist’s was. Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is coming. I like the wording of this in the NKJV because it says the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus told the people of His day that the kingdom of God was within their reach. When Jesus finished His ministry here in the world, he passed the torch to the disciples who also preached the kingdom of heaven.
So, what exactly is the kingdom of heaven that John, Jesus and those after them were talking about? Were they talking about the place where God lives in Heaven beyond this world and universe? Were they talking about when Jesus will set up His kingdom here on the earth? No, the kingdom of heaven that they were talking about is kingdom principles that govern the life of a person who is submitted to the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why they taught the people that kingdom living was with in their reach right here in this world. Sure, sin is still here and will continue, but the body of Christ, the people of God, live and operate in a different kingdom. The kingdom of light. So now we shine the light right in the middle of the darkness. We live in the dark world, but the Light of the kingdom of heaven lives in us. When we live our lives the way Jesus lived His life, we are the light that this dark world is desperately seeking.
Not only are we the light by loving the lost and hurting people of the world, but we also have the same message that Jesus had. We tell others about the life of repentance and living by the kingdom of light so that when we are gone, they can continue the work that Jesus started thousands of years ago.
Today I want to encourage you to be the light wherever you go. Don’t gossip and complain like those without a Savior do. Instead, be kind, loving and generous to those who are outside so that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) Then teach them how to share the message of repentance and to love others the kingdom of heaven way, so that they will continue this work long after you are gone from this world.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 4:12-17
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.
13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The Daily Dose 