Jesus went throughout Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom to all kinds of people. To Nicodemus, he declares, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” and again, “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3-5). Of a rich young ruler seeking “eternal life,” he says, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24). To a wise scribe, he offers this word of encouragement: You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34), showing the kingdom is not only future but presently obtainable.
Jesus uses parables (Matt 13), beatitudes (Matt 5), and object lessons (Matt 14:25) to teach about the kingdom.
He instructs the apostles, an unknown disciple and the Seventy to preach the kingdom (Luke 9:2; 9:57-60; 10:1, 9-11).
Often he and his followers not only announce the kingdom, but demonstrate it. The message is accompanied by healings, miracles and exorcisms, which graphically display God’s power breaking the back of the powers of darkness that hold people captives in various ways.
The kingdom of God is good news in a real time sense. As Jesus makes clear, he was anointed:
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[j]
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).
[For more teaching on the kingdom, read - "Heaven on Earth: Experiencing the Kingdom of God in the Here and Now." Available in pb/Kindle formats on Amazon.com]
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