First the Spirit, on purpose, leads Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Then we find Jesus talking to the devil. Think about that for a second. After at least two parlays, although I think there were many more, Jesus has had enough and tells satan to get lost. No more discussion. Then the preaching starts.
Matthew 4:17 (NIV84) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Let me say it another way. Jesus announced, stop thinking the same way about the Kingdom of God. Start thinking differently. The Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Heaven) is not far away. It is right here. You have thought it is somewhere out there...., but it is right here. Watch and listen...
Then He heals hundreds of people. Hard to say that the Kingdom of God is out there somewhere when lame people start walking right in front of you. The love, the care, the hope Jesus is bringing is tangible. Then He preaches to the disciples but possibly more than a thousand are listening in. He says weird things. Your happy when people jack you up? What is going on?
Matthew 5:17 (NIV84) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Why would He say that? What follows is what some would call a departure from the true law, but Jesus is talking about Kingdom principles. He is not saying that the law is outdated, He is saying that the Kingdom of God is far deeper than the letter of the law. The letter says when you do the deed with a married woman, you have sinned. Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is deeper than that. When you look at a woman and want to have sex with her, fondle her or see what is under that dress..., you have already poisoned your soul.
They were missing it and Jesus was helping them to find it. The Kingdom is near. Are you missing it?
Matthew 4:17 (NIV84) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Let me say it another way. Jesus announced, stop thinking the same way about the Kingdom of God. Start thinking differently. The Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Heaven) is not far away. It is right here. You have thought it is somewhere out there...., but it is right here. Watch and listen...
Then He heals hundreds of people. Hard to say that the Kingdom of God is out there somewhere when lame people start walking right in front of you. The love, the care, the hope Jesus is bringing is tangible. Then He preaches to the disciples but possibly more than a thousand are listening in. He says weird things. Your happy when people jack you up? What is going on?
Matthew 5:17 (NIV84) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Why would He say that? What follows is what some would call a departure from the true law, but Jesus is talking about Kingdom principles. He is not saying that the law is outdated, He is saying that the Kingdom of God is far deeper than the letter of the law. The letter says when you do the deed with a married woman, you have sinned. Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is deeper than that. When you look at a woman and want to have sex with her, fondle her or see what is under that dress..., you have already poisoned your soul.
They were missing it and Jesus was helping them to find it. The Kingdom is near. Are you missing it?
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