September 26th~The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 2:1-23

Luke 2:41-52

Mark 1:2-8

Matthew 3:1-12

Luke 3:1-18

Mark 1:9-11

Matthew 3:13-17

Luke 3:21, 22

We looked into three events that affirmed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. First, the visit of the wise men. Evidently, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were still in Bethlehem two years after Jesus’ birth and a star led the wise men to them. They were there to worship Him, the “newborn King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). When they saw Jesus, “they fell down before Him and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts...” (2:11).

We do not have many details about Jesus’ boyhood, so to recall this particular story must have been important. His arrival was a big deal, so big that foreigners knew about it and traveled hundreds of miles to see Him. This visit was also an indication that Jesus was the Savior of both the Jews and the Gentiles; and, of course, as Herod tried to kill Jesus, we get a glimpse of the political threat that He represented to those in power.

The second event that affirmed Jesus’ identity was when He was twelve and His family visited Jerusalem. When Mary and Joseph couldn’t find Him among their caravan, they had to return to the city, where they found Him sitting among and talking with the religious scholars at the Temple. While they were amazed at His understanding of the Scriptures, they asked why He stayed behind in Jerusalem. Jesus’ response perplexed them, “You should have known that I would be in My Father’s house” (Luke 2:41-50). Here is evidence that Jesus was aware of His divinity, the fact that He was the Son of God.

The Gospel writers silently skip eighteen years of Jesus’ life and we don’t see Him next until He met John the Baptist at the Jordan River. Here Jesus was baptized by John, and when He came up from the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and His Father was heard saying, “This is My beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you” (Mark 1:11). John indicated part of Jesus’ mission by announcing that He would “separate the chaff from the grain” and, then, “burn the chaff with never-ending fire.” John was referencing Jesus’ future separation of true believers and unbelievers at the time of the final judgment (Matthew 3:12).

Daily Reflection

Before Jesus appeared at the river to be baptized, John was preaching to everyone, “Turn from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). Matthew used that phrase, “the kingdom of heaven,” thirty-two times to describe the ministry of Christ. Other New Testament writers used the “kingdom of God.”

While the kingdom of heaven may refer to the entire realm of God’s authority in the universe, it takes on a much more personal meaning when Jesus comes to earth. The kingdom of heaven involves much more than His rule over the world; now it involves His rule in our hearts. Thus, when Jesus comes, the kingdom of heaven refers to more than His sovereignty but also our salvation in Him. The first step, we are told, is to repent, to turn from our sins. Why must repentance be a step in the salvation process?

When Jesus was on earth, it was said that the kingdom of heaven was coming or it was near. Now, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can say that the kingdom of heaven is in us. Though we will one day experience the tangible kingdom of God in heaven, we can experience the kingdom of heaven in our hearts today.

BiAY.org | Day 269 — 96 Days to Go