The Good News Is The Kingdom

"As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near." Matthew 10:7

The kingdom of heaven; that's it in a nutshell. That is the Good News that Jesus came to proclaim. That is the message that he sent those first disciples out to proclaim. That remains the Good News today. "The Message is the Kingdom" is the message that will shared tomorrow morning at Christ Lutheran Church in Bunnell, tomorrow morning.

Through the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus the Christ, the kingdom of God has indeed come for us, even today. We do not have 'till death parts us from this earth to live in that kingdom. We do not have to wait until death parts us to live in God's presence now. We are children of our heavenly Father; of His kingdom now.

I often wonder why if "going to heaven" after bodily death is so important to some, why living the kingdom life isn't so important today. Why would one want to live in God's presence later on and not today? Is it the love of God or the fear of death and hell that so many express the hope of eternal life; yet, do not live as though they truly believe that Jesus gave his life and opened the doors to the Kingdom for them?

Jesus, John the Baptist, his early followers all proclaimed the good news, "The kingdom of heaven has come near." In fact, Jesus told those who asked that the kingdom of God was already in their midst. (Luke 17:20-21)

May God help us to proclaim the Good News as we live in His Kingdom; in His presence, even today.

God's Peace - Pr. J