week 4
The Kingdom of God is Near
introduction
read
The clear focus in today’s verses
are that Jesus is the presence
of God’s saving activity among
people. Jesus is the Good News
of salvation and restoration to
the world. The 72 were to journey
with a passion to see the gift of
Jesus, His peace and His kingdom
be embraced by all people.
They were to believe that God’s
greatest gift is a life transforming
relationship with Jesus and they
were to take that message to
people who had not heard. It is a
wholistic mission – sharing the
Good News in what they say and
how they act.
LUKE 10:9-11
“Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to
you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets
and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you.
Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be
more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”
These verses at first glance are quite confronting and yet they shed light on the
difficulties of God’s mission:
›› Our lives, both our actions and our words, are to demonstrate the message
of Jesus.
›› There are times when moving on from relationships seems to be required if the
mission of God is to be fulfilled.
›› God will judge those who reject him. But Jesus has already said the harvest is
plentiful, we are to be part of God’s solution.
›› People will accept or reject the Good News. Whether they respond positively or
negatively is not ours to judge, it is for God.