By Andrew Williams – January 9, 2022
When He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee. From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near! ”
Matthew 4:12, 17 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
We see Jesus taking up the mantle from John and preaching the same good news. “Repent because the Kingdom of Heaven has come near!” This sounds like the same gospel. The wording is the same, but the out working of this good news is different.
John preached and baptized for repentance. We don’t see any miracles in John the Baptist’s ministry. However, when Jesus preached the gospel people were healed and delivered, and when He died for our sins it became possible for us to be saved.
“Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And He healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24 HCSB
This is the gospel of the Kingdom of God that we need to redirect our focus to: The gospel (the good news) that saves, heals, and delivers persons! Let us aspire to know this gospel, preach this gospel, and live this gospel, so that persons will be saved, healed, and delivered when we present it to them.
Prayer: Father God, I thank You for the Gospel of Your kingdom. Because I’ve heard it and accepted it, I am saved, healed, and delivered. Because I preach it and teach it others can be set free just like me.
As I redirect my focus to Your gospel, help me to understand it, and help me to wisely proclaim it so that all who hear will accept it! Help me to be an effective ambassador for Your kingdom, and help me to make disciples who will proclaim Your gospel throughout the whole world. Amen.