"As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt 10:7 NIV)
There is a lot in this chapter to cover; but, if you've read it and you know me, you already knew that I would pick out this verse. You knew, because I am adamant that the Kingdom of God has come near, for you, is the Gospel. The Good News is the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ.
Jesus sends the twelve out to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons and to proclaim this Good News. (vs 7, 8) Jesus, himself, proclaimed this message. So why do so many, today, think that there is another Gospel?
The Kingdom of Heaven has come to us. It is more than a place. It is a way of being; a way of being as a child of God; reconciled to our Father in heaven; to Jesus Christ, our brother; to one another, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It has come through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Think about the temple curtain being torn in two at his death. We often think of it in terms of us being able to enter into the Holy of Holies. But, consider that it is more like the heavens being opened and the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at his baptism. As that curtain was torn in two, the Spirit of God, even His Kingdom, was poured out into the world. "The kingdom of heaven has come near."
I am sorry, but I cannot adequately explain the Kingdom in a few paragraphs. Want to hear more...? I preach about it all the time... After all, that is the message we are sent to proclaim.
God's Peace - Pr. J
There is a lot in this chapter to cover; but, if you've read it and you know me, you already knew that I would pick out this verse. You knew, because I am adamant that the Kingdom of God has come near, for you, is the Gospel. The Good News is the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ.
Jesus sends the twelve out to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons and to proclaim this Good News. (vs 7, 8) Jesus, himself, proclaimed this message. So why do so many, today, think that there is another Gospel?
The Kingdom of Heaven has come to us. It is more than a place. It is a way of being; a way of being as a child of God; reconciled to our Father in heaven; to Jesus Christ, our brother; to one another, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It has come through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Think about the temple curtain being torn in two at his death. We often think of it in terms of us being able to enter into the Holy of Holies. But, consider that it is more like the heavens being opened and the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at his baptism. As that curtain was torn in two, the Spirit of God, even His Kingdom, was poured out into the world. "The kingdom of heaven has come near."
I am sorry, but I cannot adequately explain the Kingdom in a few paragraphs. Want to hear more...? I preach about it all the time... After all, that is the message we are sent to proclaim.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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