“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15 NKJV).
In the gospel of Mark, he reported that Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee. He came preaching a message of fulfillment, God’s kingdom, repentance and faith in the good news.
Of fulfillment, because the time promised by God had come at last. The long awaited Messiah, Jesus, had finally come. As Paul wrote, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4).
Of God’s kingdom, because the coming of Jesus the Messiah meant that the kingdom of God was at hand. In other words, close enough to touch. Already here, but not yet. Why not yet? Because the King first had to die on a cross, be buried, and raised to defeat sin, death and the grave. Then, King Jesus would declare His authority over all things (Matt. 28:18). But even in this, its fulfillment would be delayed to allow His followers to be sent out as His ambassadors, carrying His good news to all the nations of the world, making disciples of King Jesus. So, the kingdom is ever-expanding, yet not quite complete. For its completion awaits the soon return of King Jesus.
Of repentance, because following King Jesus means admitting our sinful rebellion and surrendering to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And of faith in the gospel, because it is by believing the good news that we are saved and made citizens of God’s kingdom. As Paul explained, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). What is this “wonderful message?” It is the gospel.
So, how near is the kingdom of God? It’s near enough to touch. How do we become citizens of God’s Kingdom? Repent and believe. For this kingdom is not of this world.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is by repenting and believing the gospel that we have become citizens of heaven and children of God. Now strengthen us to be ambassadors for Your Son, telling the whole world the good news. In Jesus’ name, amen.