Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:14-15
And with this first glimpse at the message of Jesus, Mark summarizes the preaching of our Lord. The content of verse 15 in particular is a four part sermon unique to Jesus.
1. The time is fulfilled. A new epoch of salvation history was inaugurated under Jesus’ preaching. Fulfillment had come on one long season of the world that had been awaiting a promised Savior and Messiah. Jesus’ time had come. With the arrival of His public ministry a chapter was closing. What prophets foretold was now here. What the Law and the Prophets pointed to in all the Old Testament, Jesus was making plain in God’s new plan. The Messiah that John the Baptist pointed to now began to change things… forever!
2. The kingdom of God is at hand. A new season of God’s rule over hearts and minds was being established with Jesus. He does not directly say it, but this part of the message implies that Jesus is the King of that new kingdom. Jesus preached it and Christinas believe it: Christ is King!
3. Repent. People will need to change under Christ’s new kingdom. We enter the rule of King Jesus via repentance. We must turn from sin. We must surrender hearts and lives to a new Savior for a new life, and to a new King for His new rule to begin to implement His changes in us and over us.
4. Believe in the gospel. Good news, under a good King, will rule the lives of a people who the King will make good. But those who want this rule MUST believe in the King’s good news. They cannot enforce their own wills. They must trust the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. This King conquered death and sin in order to rule all who will believe! Repentance is what we leave behind, and faith is the port of entry for a magnificent new rule of Jesus in His kingdom.
The time is now here and for millennia the kingdom of God has come with King Jesus! He is still the King. No ruler of this earth changes that. No political crisis or election hubbub makes even a minor ripple of dissent to His rule! This truth compels me to repent, believe His good news, and submit to His rule! Forever reign, King Jesus!
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