Kingdom Of God – Luke and Anna Hellebronth

Remember the instructions Jesus gave the 72 missionaries He sent into the world?  He told them they would be accepted and that they were also going to be rejected. However, in every case He told them to announce or proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near.

Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ – Luke 10:9  ESV

We are the people who present the kingdom of God, not only in deed but in our hearts.

I am sure the communities that these teams entered were filled with sick people, especially those who were excluded from society because they were lepers or demon possessed. The kingdom of God is a new way of living and living together with others. It is a new way of being and thinking.

The message of the kingdom was not new – John the Baptist declared the same. The kingdom of God is near because the King is near. Healing of the sick was only a manifestation of kingdom nearness if you will – proof of what was being preached.

Not to poke at any one but it is healing that brings the awareness of the kingdom, not riches or power.

I have been pondering my own experience in this matter and can truly say that no one has been healed because I prayed for them. Not sure what that means yet, but I am committed to preach the kingdom’s nearness and continuing to pray for people to be healed. I continue to embody the gospel and proclaim it. I want the gospel authenticated and represented in my life for I know the two cannot be equated or separated.  While I figure out what that means in my life, I volunteer, whenever I can, to walk with the street people where I live to demonstrate the love of Jesus and presenting Him to them.