Proclaim the Kingdom!

This morning I was reading through Luke's Gospel and was once again struck by fact that Jesus spoke constantly about the Kingdom of God.  Here are a few verses:

Luke 8:1 NIV: "After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,..."

Luke 9:1-2, 6 NIV:
[1] "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

[6] "So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news  (of the Kingdom of God) and healing people everywhere."

Luke 9:11 NIV: "...but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing."

The Kingdom of God present on earth was one of the primary messages of Jesus.  He was always speaking about it; He told the Apostles to speak about it; He demonstrated the reality of it by healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons.  This was the "Good News" and He delivered it with demonstration.  Here is how Matthew describes Jesus' ministry - Matthew 4:23-24 NIV:

[23] "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. [24] 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."

When I think about the Kingdom of God, I am reminded that if this was true then, it is still true now, the Kingdom of God is the good news.  This means that Jesus established a "New" kingdom on earth, which means there is a "New" king.  This "New" King demonstrated His authority and power over the old by proclaiming and demonstrating His ability to destroy the works of the old king - which include sickness and disease, death, and demonic influence. He showed His authority by influencing nature, the winds, water and even cultivated goods were all subject to His authority and His command.

His Kingdom is a Kingdom of love, and selfless service as well as power.  He calls us to love one another the way He loved us (John 13:34). He calls us to lay down our lives and take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). He calls us to be concerned about others, to love them and put their concerns before our own (John 15:12-13).  He calls us to God first and then to love our neighbors (Matt 22:37-40).

He called the disciples to proclaim this Kingdom and then demonstrate the Kingdom.  Here is the charge He gave the initial 12 He sent out, "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (Matt 10:7-8)  In the same way, we are called to proclaim and demonstrate His Kingdom.  It may not be fun, at time it might even be difficult.  As Jesus said in John 16:33 NIV: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble (tribulation and pressing in). But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Lord, I am encouraged this morning in my pursuit of You, and the ability to faithfully proclaim and demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom.  You established it and it continues to this day!  Help me to follow You!

Amen!