Description:Jesus Emphasizes the Kingdom
From first to last, Jesus’ message underscores the kingdom of God. Matthew summarizes Jesus’ early Galilean ministry: “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matt. 4:23). Toward the middle of his ministry, Jesus defends himself against the wicked accusation that he casts out demons by Satan: “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). And in the presence of Pilate before Jesus’ crucifixion, he declares, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36).