Freedom is Good News Part 193

The good news today is that I get to, once again, contemplate and formulate a lesson of importance from the word of God.  As I see it, we left off talking about the Kingdom of God.  I mentioned, in that article, that the first time the word ‘kingdom’ is used in the gospel accounts, it is spoken by John the Baptist “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  John understood the commission he was given.  He was to prepare the way for the Son of God. 

John the Baptist and Jesus were relatives, perhaps second cousins; for the scripture tells us that John’s mother, Elizabeth and Jesus’ mother, Mary were relatives (Luke 1:36) When John was asked by the authorities who he was, he replied to them with the words of Isaiah the prophet, “A voice of one calling; in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”  When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John pointed to Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29)

The Son of God, born of a virgin, also spoke of the kingdom. The first time we find this word on Jesus lips, He says this, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   (The same words that were spoken by John.)  And so, yes, the message of the kingdom is quite important.  In fact, twice Mathew tells us that “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every sickness and disease among the people.” (Matt. 4:23 and 9:35)

What did the people in Jesus day know about this kingdom?  Well, they were waiting, even longing, for a redeemer who was a descendent of King David, He would reign over them.  They were under the control of the Roman Government and were not truly free citizens.  They had been taught from the words of Isaiah and understood the prophecy of a coming kingdom; “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end.  He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Throughout the book of Isaiah there are many references to this kingdom to come but the people in Jesus day couldn’t see beyond the physical aspects of such a kingdom.

Toward the end of our previous article I asked several questions: How much do you know about the Kingdom of God?  What will it look like?  Does it exist today?  And if it does where is it?  And now that we have caught ourselves up on this subject, maybe we might look at some answers to this topic that was on Jesus lips some 100 times!!

Jesus Himself said it was the “good news of the kingdom”.