Jesus started His ministry in Galilee right after he heard John the Baptist had been imprisoned.Matthew tells us Galilee is a land of “people living in darkness…in the land of the shadow of death”. (v 16) People without Christ live in darkness. Christ brings light to any place He is invited to come in.
Jesus began to preach “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (v 17b) Jesus Christ is present, in person, beginning to preach the message of repentance. He says the kingdom of heaven is near. It won’t fully arrive until the Holy Spirit comes after Christ’s ascension into heaven.
Repentance is the central theme of Jesus’ earthly ministry! Repentance is not just expressing sadness or regret for what we have done. It isn’t even just a change in our thinking. Repentance is the changing of all that we are: our desires, our values, and our behaviors. We choose to turn from the way we are into a new person focused on God: living our lives under God’s care and control.
I know I make mistakes. Making mistakes comes with living and breathing; they can’t be avoided. However mistakes only remain mistakes when I don’t acknowledge them and learn from them. I must confess them to God and turn from them allowing Him to change and transform me.
“From that time on Jesus began to preach…” (v17) He is still speaking today. Turn to Him. His love and forgiveness are always available to transform minds and hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment