“Kingdom Ministry,” Matthew 4:17b

Matthew 4:12-23

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Pastor Tom Johnson, January 26, 2020

“Healing of the Blind Man,” by Carl Bloch 1871 

As Jesus begins his ministry, he repeats the same slogan over and over: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew describes his ministry: “Jesus went…teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.” This is how Jesus manifests God’s love to the world: wherever the King goes, so goes the Kingdom. Wherever the King stretches out his hand, so the reign of God’s love is extended. Jesus preaches the Gospel and does good to those around him. Jesus blesses others by word and deed, mouth and hands, voice and touch. People do not just hear about the good news of God’s love they feel it in their bodies. He encourages their hearts and mends their wounds. He strengthens their spirits and he takes away their sickness.

Maybe you are like me and the word “repent” sounds archaic, negative, and demanding. In English, it can mean to feel remorse, regret, and to change one’s mind. In the Bible, repent means to change both mind and conduct. It is a transformation of both how we think and how we live. Charles Spurgeon, the 19th century Baptist preacher in London said, “Repentance is not only a change of mind. It seems to me more truthful to say it is a great and deep change—even a change of the mind itself.” We should find great comfort in Jesus’ little word “Repent.” Repentance goes with his nearness. It means that the reign of God will have and should have a tangible impact on our lives. When we encounter the King, we will experience the divine.

This morning’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is about how Jesus does ministry—how he came to serve—his method of reaching people. He brings about positive change to those who come across his path. The spirits of people are uplifted. Their bodies are healed. And they find new purpose in their lives.  By the words of his mouth, Jesus spreads the message of good news. It’s the news of the arrival of a greater reality—the Kingdom of Heaven—a power, a purpose, a healing for the nations that transcends our world. When the Kingdom of Heaven comes near, King Jesus has come near—the true Messiah the one who is anointed by God the Heavenly Father. Wherever he speaks and whomever he touches, he brings a blessing from heaven to earth. This is how Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Later in the last chapter of Matthew (28), Jesus hands over the same ministry not to just a few fishermen but to all of us. He says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…,and teaching them. And, behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Now we are to go as Jesus did by word and deed extending the power of his Kingdom. We would be wise to follow his example. Jesus manifests the power of God’s love through the good news he teaches and preaches and the lives he tangibly impacts for good. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Jesus does not just reveal truth, he reveals the love and acceptance of God. Jesus does not just give the world more information, he gives the world life-transformation. It is why what the world needs is not smarter Christians but more caring Christians. God calls us to be faithful not only to the truth of doctrine but also faithful to his heart and love toward people. Authentic concern and love for our neighbor will have a profound impact on the lives around us.

Last Monday, I heard a powerful sermon from Pastor Chris Bodley who serves in urban ministry development in Detroit, Michigan. He said the largest group missing from all our churches is the millennial generation. They are seeking an encounter with God that will forever change their lives. What they and all of us need is to be part of a community of believers whose lives have truly been changed by God. Just as we see in our text this morning. When Jesus shows up, it changes the course of our lives and our journeys. We begin fill our minds and hearts with God’s love. We experience his healing touch. Our lives have purpose and meaning.

God also calls us to fish for people. And the way we we do that is way Jesus fishes for people: by word and deed. Just as our mission statement says on the back of our bulletins: we proclaim Christ, nurture faith, and serve others.  We are here this morning to cultivate a caring community around God’s Kingdom. We are here once again to experience the reign of his Son Jesus. He transforms lives once again by his Word and healing touch. By the words that have been read and faithfully preached, minds and hearts are mended. By his touch through the bread and the wine—his true Body and Blood—we are strengthened body and soul. We have the assurance that our sins are forgiven and have eternal life.  We are a community that has experienced life-transformation. We celebrate positive change in all the lives we encounter. And we give King Jesus all the glory, thanks, and praise. He has truly come near.