"And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
The first part of today's lesson tells about the forty day temptation of Jesus. That temptation was described in much more detail in the lesson of Matthew 4:1-11, for those who would like to refer back for those details.
The latter portion of today's quote tells us that after the death of John the Baptist, Jesus entered into Galilee "preaching the gospel of the kingdom".
The latter portion of today's quote tells us that after the death of John the Baptist, Jesus entered into Galilee "preaching the gospel of the kingdom".
It is important to note that John, Jesus and His Apostles, all preached the exact same message. (Jesus) Matt. 4:17, "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."
(John)Matt. 3:1-2, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, REPENT YE: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."
(The Apostles) Matt. 10:5-7, "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."
The "gospel" message that Jesus taught never changed from the beginning of His ministry through His ascension.
In verse 15 of today's quote, Jesus says, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Strong's bible dictionary defines the word "gospel", as it is applied in this quote, as 'good news'. Therefore, Jesus was preaching 'good news' the time had come to begin preparation for the coming of His kingdom. (Salvation and His Church).
Until Jesus came, all Jews believed that in order to stay on good terms with God and to eventually get to heaven, one must strictly obey the laws that were handed down to Moses. (Those who practice the Jewish faith today, still believe they must adhere to the Law.)
The "good news" Jesus brought to those Jews, and eventually to the Gentiles as well, was that His perfect sacrifice would fulfill all the requirements of that law for those who would turn away from having faith in themselves under the Law, and place their faith in Him.
Sadly, there are still those today who claim to be Christians, and still believe they must obey the old law after they have been "saved", and thereby unwittingly place their faith in themselves instead of in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Sadly, there are still those today who claim to be Christians, and still believe they must obey the old law after they have been "saved", and thereby unwittingly place their faith in themselves instead of in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The "good news" of the coming of the kingdom of God was some of the most wonderful news that has ever been spread.~
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