Many of us have seen a person or a cartoon of some wild eyed person standing on a street corner in ‘Metropolis’ USA wearing sandwich boards saying “Repent – Judgment is coming”. The gospel of Matthew records that Jesus preached a similar message with a big difference. After Jesus Christ’s experience in the dessert, Matthew records the beginning of Christ’s preaching and teaching by summarizing it in this one verse.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The Apostle Matthew reports that Jesus Christ’s first preaching centered on exhorting the people to “repent” and recognize that the “kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Jesus does not just represent the kingdom, He is the kingdom that stood before them and is still available (at hand) today for those who will repent.
The entire Bible is summarized in this one phrase. God’s message since the fall of man has been to “repent” (to turn from our sinful selfish ways) and to follow and obey our Creator. Jesus came to show us the love of our heavenly Father, and to bring us face to face with the “kingdom of heaven”. He came to redeem us from the bondage of sin and to give us entrance into His eternal Kingdom. What a glorious and precious message this is for those who are willing to accept and obey His word.
Blessings to All in our Lord Jesus Vince