Jesus, a Visual History by Donald L. Brake

Author:Donald L. Brake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2014-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

ON TO JERUSALEM (Matthew 19:1 – 20:34; Mark 10:1 – 52; – Luke 17:22 – 19:28; T&G 120b – 27b)

After Jesus raised Lazarus in Bethany of Judea, he and the disciples began their final journey to Jerusalem.6 Knowing his time was limited and that the disciples still wrestled with many questions, Jesus continued his instruction, explaining the necessity of his death, and charging the disciples to look for his glorious return. He also taught them about divorce, prayer, faith, and how to gain entrance into the kingdom of God. For the third time, he predicted his death and resurrection — but they did not understand these things (Luke 18:34).7

As the Perean ministry ended and Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, he clarified their misconceptions about the kingdom. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, and Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20 – 21).8

The meaning and purpose of the kingdom of God as preached by John the Baptist and offered by Jesus has been defined differently among scholars. To some it is synonymous with the eternal state of heaven and has no connection to the present earthly realm. To others it is a simple nonmaterial, spiritual realm in which God rules over the hearts of people.

Scripture provides a broad understanding of the kingdom. On the one hand, it is eternal and temporal, and on the other, it has a definite historical beginning and ending. It is administered by God, and yet it has a local administration through representatives.

God rules eternity as one with absolute authority. The biblical concept of “kingdom” includes several concepts: the right to rule, a king, and a realm in which ruling authority is exercised.

The central drama of biblical history incorporates God’s rule. This theme is traced from Genesis to Revelation and seeks to answer the question, “Who has the authority to be obeyed?” This question is fundamental to the battle between God and Satan as played out in human history.

God’s kingdom program developed through a series of covenants God made with the nation Israel: the Abrahamic covenant promised Israel’s continuing existence and a land (Gen. 15:18 – 21); the Davidic covenant promised that David’s house and kingdom would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:13); and the new covenant promised forgiveness of sin (Jer. 31:31 – 34). These eternal, unconditional, and irrevocable covenants determined the ultimate significance of God’s kingdom on earth.

Jesus came to fulfill the old covenant (law of Moses, Ex. 24:6 – 8) and inaugurate the new covenant (spoken at the Last Supper, Matt. 26:28), which brought the forgiveness of sin by means of payment through an eternal sacrifice. The blood of bulls and goats of the old covenant was temporary. The blood of Christ permanently sealed the new covenant. He also came to offer himself as King and to sit on the Davidic throne.

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