Scripture – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”
Matthew 4:17-19, 23-25 NIV
Observation – Two times in these passages the kingdom of heaven is referenced. What is the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is where God is king and he rules over his people with justice and mercy. Based on these two passages we see that God’s kingdom requires repentance, God wants his kingdom to expand and God wants the people in his kingdom to be healthy and free from suffering. God is a good king!
Application – A kingdom is different than a democracy or other forms of government. In a kingdom the King is the absolute authority, no one else gets a vote. We read in scripture that most kings were evil, not good, and all kings were flawed and tempted by women, gold and power. God is a perfect king that desires each one of his subjects to live a full life. That life cannot be achieved when living in rebellion, only through humility and repentance.
Prayer – Lord, I pray that your subjects would obey your commands by helping others learn about you so they can benefit by living in your kingdom here on earth and forever in eternity. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 