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When our western Christian ears hear the word “Gospel”, we automatically think of the Gospel proclaimed by Jesus. However, in Greek, the word gospel (transliterated as ‘euaggelion’) simply refers to ‘good news’ in general. In our modern context, the word is used almost exclusively for a particular piece of good news; namely, the good news of Jesus. But to a contemporary Greek-speaking person in the first century AD, the word would have prompted the question, ‘OK, so what is this good news you have?’

In Matthew 4, we possess the writer’s first account of Jesus’ Gospel-preaching ministry following His consecration (baptism) and testing and temptation in the desert. In this important moment, we get some insight into what exactly this gospel is: the ‘Gospel of the Kingdom’.

Historical Context

In the contemporary first-century culture, Roman conquerors would often go and take over a new kingdom or region, occupying it, and plundering it for its spoils. Following the invasion, an apostle (at that time meaning an emissary and ambassador of the new occupying ruler) would travel throughout the region, proclaiming ‘Gospel! Gospel.’ They would tell the new subjects the ‘good news’ of the new forcefully-enthroned ruler, and they would also bring the new culture and principles of the victorious kingdom.

These apostles would put the old, defeated rulers in cages, parade them through the streets and publicly humiliate them. This is precisely the spiritual force Jesus engaged the domain of darkness with, hence this passage in Colossians 2:15 which reads, ‘And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ Wow!

Why is it so hard to preach the Gospel?

Imagine for a moment you are living in a town in the ancient world when one day, news of a new ruler comes to your ears. You hear that a ruler has forcefully evicted the existing powers-that-be and taken the throne for themselves. An apostle comes to tell you news of a new culture, a new way of living, a new language, new concepts and new philosophies of life.

However, the manifestation of these things never follows. The man bringing you the news doesn’t seem any different, and, as the days and weeks unfold, life goes on as it always has. Nothing changes.

For many of us, the ‘Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven’ or ‘Kingdom of God’ can be difficult to preach. Why? Because we are still so unfamiliar with the Kingdom itself. What does this new Kingdom mean for us? What culture and way of life does it entail? The Kingdom of God is an invitation into a deeper revelation of the things of God and the things of His Kingdom, a truly valuable journey as we grow in evangelism.

Manifesting the Kingdom of God

When Jesus was inviting people into repentance and preaching the ‘Gospel of the Kingdom’, he wasn’t simply telling them about the Kingdom. He manifested the Kingdom. Healing, signs, wonders: even the unclean spirits left at the mention of His name! (An exciting revelation reported by the disciples when they returned from their commissioning in Luke 10.) Love, compassion: a gaze focused on those that society ignored. These are all manifestations of the Kingdom.

Friends, when we tell people the good news of the Kingdom, what we are really saying is this:

‘Good news! There is a new ruler in town! Turn away from the old, damning way of life and behold a new way of life! He has dethroned those rulers that have held you in captivity and given you the opportunity for liberty! He has plundered those things that have tortured you and now offers you a totally new dimension of freedom! Come and partake in the spoils of the war that was fought and won on your behalf, for the Kingdom is now yours!’

And when we manifest the kingdom through our lives by healing the sick, stopping for the homeless beggar and standing up for injustice, the world indeed tastes the entrées of a feast of heavenly riches destined to become their inheritance, if they would but accept the invitation.

Brothers and sisters, an exhortation for us all: may we be so familiar with the Kingdom we preach that we experience it, become it and accurately represent it to the lost and broken world that lies before us each and every day.

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