Matthew 4:12-17
12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”[f]
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[g]”
The Kingdom of Heaven was a Jewish idea that had developed throughout history. Broadly speaking, it had developed into two streams. The first was political and physical, a liberty from their oppressors where they could be free to govern themselves and live the Torah (law given to Moses). Their hope of the Messiah was a warrior with a bloody sword and an army to lead them to victory over their enemies and restore the promised land to the people of Israel. Salvation meant a single Jewish nation. This was the primary view in the time of Jesus’ Ministry.
The second view was more spiritual, that the Kingdom of Heaven was a place of spiritual victory. A new world where every evil, sin and demon would be defeated. The powers of darkness would be destroyed and our sins would be atoned for. There would be an end to this age of darkness and a new age of light would arrive.
Jesus seemed to take both of these views as he spoke of a Kingdom that was near and not yet. He spoke of an Age to Come which would herald the kingly rule of God and where his people would step into the full measure of his divine blessings. This was his proclamation. Repent, or turn back to God, because his Kingdom is close. Salvation is near and it will be physical, spiritual and political. What a message! The new age was coming and in some ways, it was already here. It is already within us.
This is why Jesus performed so many miracles throughout his ministry. They were not simply acts of compassion but signs of the kingdom. Jesus confirmed his message with signs and wonders. Turn to God because his Kingdom is present. This idea of the Kingdom is central to Jesus’ ministry. It was his message and it was his activity. We are able to turn away from sin, look to God and experience the Kingdom here today.
There will come a day when the Kingdom has come in all its fullness but we have access to that Kingdom now while we are living in an age of darkness and sin. We can turn to God and receive healing (spiritual and physical), grace, forgiveness, power and encounter. Jesus invites us to yield our authority to God’s for he is close and to invite others to join us.
