The Good News of the Kingdom
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Mark 1:14-15
If someone asked, “Could you tell me what the Bible is about in one sentence or less?” Could you do it? What would you say? Would you focus on moral imperatives from the Ten Commandments? Would you say it is about loving your neighbor and especially the poor? Or, perhaps you might zero in on Jesus’ teaching on the Sermon on the Mount that emphasizes virtues such as humility and meekness.
Well, most Biblical scholars today agree that the central theme of the Bible is the “Kingdom of God.” This is precisely what Jesus began preaching about at the very outset of His ministry. We read at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel that Jesus proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” The central message of Jesus’ teaching was that God’s Kingdom had arrived. This was good news because it meant that God was intervening in the midst of our broken world. His righteous and powerful rule was being established. The rest of Jesus’ teaching and ministry in the Gospels are manifestations of this rule—God’s Kingdom. We get glimpses of this each time Jesus heals or casts out demons. These are simply expressions of what God’s Kingdom rule looks like when it overcomes sickness, illness and evil. God’s kingdom heals, restores, completes. This is good news.
As followers of Jesus, we participate in God’s kingdom when we commit our lives to Him, when we let the Spirit began a work of transformation within us. When we do this, we begin to have new desires and new passions. Over time, God’s Spirit molds us into something new.
Yet, we also participate in God’s Kingdom each time we bring the love of Christ to others, each time we are quick to forgive someone, each time we help a neighbor who is in need, or when we share the love of Christ with people who have no hope. God has called each of us to be part of His kingdom.
As you begin your day today, ask God how you might participate in bringing God’s kingdom to bear. Ask yourself what needs mending. What is broken? What needs to be restored? These are opportunities for you to do something wonderful: to bring God’s kingdom—His restorative love and rule to wherever it is needed.
