Kingdom 102: The Kingdom and His Birth
During the time I worked and lived in Brooklyn, New York, several of this country's presidents came through our borough, headed for Manhattan. Before their actual arrival, the city prepared about two weeks, laying out the city's welcome mat in honor of the President. Security was tightened. The mayor and all the local government officials were in attendance. His announcement was known throughout the five boroughs.
This was the role of Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. He was the one chosen to announce he coming of the King. John was keeping Kingdom royal protocol. His responsibility was to prepare the people, the nation, and the way for the coming of the King who would bring the Kingdom. God's Constitution describes John in this manner: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’” Please notice, John kept in line with his role, down to the letter. He knew his purpose. He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’as the prophet Isaiah said.” John the Baptist stayed true to his purpose by quoting The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
I want you to notice, John's message wasn't about a new religion, but the Kingdom of Heaven. It is very important to understand that John was the most unique prophet of the entire Bible. In fact, Jesus the Christ, stated that John was the greatest of all the prophets that had ever lived. “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. The question is, "Why does John hold such a prominent position among the prophets?" Well, this is the answer Because all of the other prophets before John spoke only of the coming of the Messiah (the King) and the coming of the Kingdom, while John had the privilege of announcing, presenting, meeting and baptizing the King of the Kingdom. John stayed in his purpose. He never tried to be something that he wasn't. Please note: Jesus never gave John a direct answer to John's question. The answer He gave was this: Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. By the way, these are the signs that the Kingdom of God is present. People should reconcile that the Kingdom culture is present through our behavior as Kingdom citizens. There should be a definite difference in our behavior.
Remember King Jesus' statement: For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:1-3 John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3 Matt 11:11 Matt 11:4-5 Matt 5:20
~~w.R. Luchie
This was the role of Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. He was the one chosen to announce he coming of the King. John was keeping Kingdom royal protocol. His responsibility was to prepare the people, the nation, and the way for the coming of the King who would bring the Kingdom. God's Constitution describes John in this manner: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’” Please notice, John kept in line with his role, down to the letter. He knew his purpose. He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’as the prophet Isaiah said.” John the Baptist stayed true to his purpose by quoting The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
I want you to notice, John's message wasn't about a new religion, but the Kingdom of Heaven. It is very important to understand that John was the most unique prophet of the entire Bible. In fact, Jesus the Christ, stated that John was the greatest of all the prophets that had ever lived. “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. The question is, "Why does John hold such a prominent position among the prophets?" Well, this is the answer Because all of the other prophets before John spoke only of the coming of the Messiah (the King) and the coming of the Kingdom, while John had the privilege of announcing, presenting, meeting and baptizing the King of the Kingdom. John stayed in his purpose. He never tried to be something that he wasn't. Please note: Jesus never gave John a direct answer to John's question. The answer He gave was this: Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. By the way, these are the signs that the Kingdom of God is present. People should reconcile that the Kingdom culture is present through our behavior as Kingdom citizens. There should be a definite difference in our behavior.
Remember King Jesus' statement: For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:1-3 John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3 Matt 11:11 Matt 11:4-5 Matt 5:20
~~w.R. Luchie
