" The Good News "
 

In those days came John the Baptist; and he was preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, ‘Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is near.’
(Matthew 3:1-2 Lamsa Translation)

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is coming near.’
(Matthew 4:17 Lamsa Translation)

These twelve Jesus sent out, and charged them and said, ‘Keep away from pagan practices, and do not enter a Samaritan city, but above all, go to the sheep which are lost from the house of Israel and as you go, preach and say, that the kingdom of heaven is near.’
(Matthew 10:5-7 Lamsa Translation)
 

Jesus had a vision and mission statement even if he didn’t use those terms. What was it? If it was the gospel or “good news”, what was this good news?

I’ve heard it said many ways. I think every Christian denomination has its version. But what did Jesus say? How did Jesus define his ministry?

The Gospel According to Matthew gives us an answer in three different places. John the Baptizer announces it before Jesus begins his ministry (Matthew 3:1-2). We get a statement about what Jesus was teaching as soon as his ministry began right after his temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:17). And finally, Jesus sends his disciples out to share the good news giving them instructions (Matthew 10:5-7). These passages are quoted above.

Change the way you think about and view the situation (Repent) because the guidance of God or God’s presence (Kingdom of God) is available to you now (Come Near or Arrived). 

We don’t have to wait for our body to lie down for the final time to experience the guidance and presence of God directly. It is available to us now. We won’t find it when we live from the separate self. When our body is contracted and tense because we are experiencing the stress of emotions such as fear, anger, anxiety or envy, we are in separate self. To allow our True Self to become active in our life our separate self has to become passive. To do this we have to change our thoughts.

When our attention is focused on the here and now we can relax, breathe and allow the True Self or Higher Self that is always in us to become active. Immediately we feel better. We are calm. We experience joy and peace. This is the good news Jesus taught in his ministry.

Next month I plan to discuss in more detail how we need to change our view. What does Jesus tell us about this?
 

If it pleases you, take a deep breath and affirm:

I choose to let go
of my thoughts of the past
or the future.
Right now
I am alright;
It is good.
I am.