- The King’s Herald Ended His Ministry 君王的先锋被拒 (4:12-16)
The rejection of the herald of the King signified the rejection of the King. When Jesus heard of John’s arrest He withdrew into Galilee According to Isaiah it is known as the Galilee of the Gentiles. Galilee is most despised by the Jews and arguably this was the darkest place on earth. It is precisely here that the Lord began His ministry. The darkest place is the place most needed the light. This is to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy that the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned (Isa. 9:1–2).
- The King Begins His Ministry 君王展开事工 (4:17)
The end of the herald’s work was the beginning of the King’s. Jesus began to preach “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
To turn from sin is to repent, to change one’s orientation, to turn around and seek a new way. Repent means a 180 degree change of direction of a person’s life. Since we are created by God we are not to live our own way but to live according to God’s way. To repent is to change from living for ourselves to living for God. To repent is to turn away from sin and to turn toward holiness. The King had arrived, and the kingdom was near. Messiah’s time had come-to usher in the age of righteousness.
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- As Christians we loathe and despise the sinners of this world and it is precisely because of them that Jesus came into the world. Is there someone in your life that you need to reach out to with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Please start praying for them that you can be light and salt to them.
- The word “repent” is a verb which describes an action. Are there sins in your life that you need to take actions to turn away from and righteousness you need pursue? Pray that God will help you do just that.