The Gospel and The Kingdom: The Coming of Jesus

THE LIFE OF JESUS

His Birth

Both Jesus’ divinity and royalty are made clear from His birth. An army of angels appears and shout their praises to God, and wise men from far-off lands travel to visit Him. They fall down in worship and bear gifts representing the nations’ treasures.

Luke 2:52 KJV 1900

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

His Baptism

Jesus’ baptism identifies Him with Israel and their sins, yet even in His baptism, God makes it known that Jesus is set apart from every other person, proclaiming:

Luke 3:22 KJV 1900

22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

The Message

The predominant message proclaimed by Jesus throughout His ministry is well summarized by Mark:

Mark 1:15 KJV 1900

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The Miracles

The miracles weren’t meant to merely draw crowds or create a stir. They were meant to give the people a foretaste of the kingdom of God, a picture of how Jesus Christ was going to reverse the effects of sin.

Matthew 11:4–6 KJV 1900

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

With His teachings, Jesus proclaimed the “gospel,” or the “good news,” of the kingdom. Rather than doing away with the Law, Jesus taught that He was the fulfillment of the Law.

Matthew 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The Death of Jesus

But Jesus did not come just to perform miracles and teach about the kingdom. In fact, Jesus says the main reason He came to earth was to die. Without Jesus dying for the sins of the people, there would be no good news.

John 12:27 KJV 1900

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Luke 22:20 KJV 1900

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus is telling them that be being broken in His death for them, He is like the Passover lamb. Just as God delivered His people from slavery by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus will deliver His people from sin by His own blood. Those who believe on Him are saved by His broken body and poured-out blood.

The Resurrection of Jesus

On the first day of the week, two women who were Jesus’ disciples went to visit His tomb. But instead of finding a stone covering the tomb, they were shocked to find it open and an angel sitting on the stone.

Matthew 28:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.