14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:14-15 (KJV)
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Bottom line: Jesus came to introduce us to the Kingdom of God.
Teaching
The word “gospel” means good news. The gospel of the Kingdom of God is therefore the good news of the Kingdom of God. The gospel as we know it today has been limited to the preaching of the cross. Preachers preach about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and often forget to explain to the people why he came on earth and laid down His life for the world. Jesus did not just do some random work to please the Father. His death on the cross was aimed and creating the means by which every man can be introduced into the kingdom of God.
The gospel we preach is called the gospel of the kingdom because Jesus preached about the kingdom and the way to access the kingdom of God.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 1:14-15 (KJV)
There is a kingdom beyond the seen world. It is the kingdom of God, and Jesus is king in that kingdom. The reason why king Herod sought his life was because he thought that the baby Jesus, who was reverenced as king by the wisemen, would seek to take the throne from him. Herod thought that Jesus wanted to reign as king over Israel, so, he saw Him as an enemy.
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:1-3 (KJV)
On another occasion, some of Jesus’ followers wanted to crown him king of Israel, but Jesus walked away.
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
John 6:15 (KJV)
One of the accusations brought against Jesus when he was about to be crucified was that He claimed to be a king. So, Pilate asked what kingdom is He king of. Jesus replied:
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
John 18:36 (KJV)
These men did not understand that Jesus is king of an already-existent kingdom. And he came on earth to create the way to access his kingdom, by means of his death and resurrection.
Therefore, anyone who believes in him and receives the Holy Spirit is born as a baby into this glorious Kingdom.
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 1:12-14 (KJV)
We therefore are citizens of the kingdom of God Hallelujah!
Jesus tells us that, though we are in this world, we are not of this world. We are not governed by the systems of this world. We are of God’s kingdom and our government is that of the kingdom. Our constitution is dive. We must not be ruled or dominated by the systems of this world. We are from above. We must function from above.
Further Study
- Matthew 24:14 [And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.]
Reflection
- Have you received the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
- If not, you can do so now by praying this prayer from your heart:
Lord Jesus. I have sinned against you in every way. Forgive my sins today and wash me with your precious blood. On my own I can’t make it, so I invite you to be Lord over my heart and over my life. I receive the gift of your holy spirit today. Now I am transformed. I am a new man; I am born again. I now have free access to the father. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
If you have prayed this prayer, congratulations. Now, you are a child of God. Welcome to the kingdom of God.
Prayer
Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for giving me access to your glorious kingdom. I declare today that I am from above and I am governed by the laws of the kingdom and not of this world in Jesus’ name. Amen.
