When Jesus arrives on the scene as the son of God, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, the theme of the kingdom of God explodes on the ancient scrolls of the New Testament. Jesus’ first words after being baptized and tested were “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). What did Jesus mean by this? Well he simply meant, the kingdom is here. I am here, I am ready to do what I was sent to do and the kingdom of God has come in and through me, the Messiah, so repent and turn from your evil ways. The kingdom of God is bringing about change in all ways of life and to participate it will take repentance.
The first thing Jesus does according to Matthew’s gospel is gather and call disciples who will be the first participants and students in this new kingdom. This is where Jesus launches his discipleship program. Unlike the traditional students of rabbis where students simply learn knowledge, these students would learn how to act and treat one another rather than just learn knowledge. Knowledge they would certainly learn but to be a part of God’s kingdom, one’s character seems to be of utmost importance because God’s kingdom works in a completely different way than traditional earthly kingdoms.
After calling his disciples, Matthew records Jesus healing the sick, a sign that God’s kingdom of goodness is permeating the earth through the healing acts of Jesus. Healing and restoration are signs of God’s kingdom spoken through the prophets (Isaiah 35:5-6). Matthew 4:23 tells us that along with these healings, Jesus preached about the good news of the kingdom. These acts were evidence of Jesus’ words, the kingdom is here and I am inaugurating the kingdom on earth.
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