What time is it? Jesus knows!

What time is it?  Jesus knows!

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15

Jesus was many things, but he was first known as a preacher.  One who proclaims, declares, and speaks forth with authority.  In Luke, Jesus quotes from a passage in Isaiah which ends with the anointed one “proclaiming the favorable year of the Lord”.  As the Word of God, Jesus spoke the message that God wanted all to hear.  The word became flesh and dwelt among us, says John.

I have taught that his first message was Repent and believe, but I stand corrected.  His first message was that the “time has come” or “the time is fulfilled” or “the time is at hand”.  Understanding the clue of “time” to this message unlocks why people were so willing to repent.

In the book of Daniel, he foretells about the messiah coming after 3 time periods.  The 4^th time period would reveal the Ancient of Days.  All the Jews knew that the Roman occupation was the 3^rd time period foretold by Daniel.  They were looking and listening for the inauguration of the 4^th period of time.  Jesus declares that NOW is the time that was foretold.  He is the person who announces and lives this 4^th kingdom.

That the 4^th Kingdom is at hand was good news.  You can hear the buzz around the villages that the messiah had come.  The Jews of course were thinking primarily of the physical reality of his kingdom.  They wanted him to overthrow the Romans, kick them off their land, and restore the kingdom of David in all of its glory.  Jesus ushered in the 4^th kingdom of a spiritual reality in the context of a physical reality.

Since the 4^th kingdom was at hand, it was important for its inhabitants to align their lives with the values of this kingdom.  Jesus said that they need to repent.  Change their way of thinking and behavior that was contrary to this new kingdom.  Repentance was validated in their belief of this new king and his kingdom.

When we share the good news of salvation, we are also declaring that the realm of this kingdom can be a true right now for the person who believes.  With the acceptance of this kingdom, one has access to all the treasures of this kingdom (peace, salvation, joy, grace, mercy, love, power for holy living, and more).

We are living in the time that was foretold of God’s favor.  This NOW time is available to anyone who believes.  As Paul says, “how will they believe unless someone tells them it is available?”  Today could be the NOW time for someone that you meet.  That is GOOD news.

Father, Thank you that Jesus preached with clarity and authority.  Give us the revelation necessary to walk in your kingdom realm.  Thank you that your message is good news, even if you have to point out the things in our lives that offend you.  Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.