Judges 4-6 Luke 4:31-44

“At daybreak, Jesus went to a lonely place, but the people looked for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving. But Jesus said to them, ‘I must preach about God’s kingdom to other towns, too. This is why I was sent.’” (Luke 4:42-43 NCV)

When Jesus taught in Capernaum, people were amazed that He taught as one with authority. Then, He cast a demon out of a man in the synagogue. Word spread about that. Then, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law. People heard about that and they inundated Him with requests for healing. After a night of healing and casting out demons, Jesus went out the next morning to be alone. They found Him anyway and sought to keep Him around. He knows His mission: He was called to preach about the Kingdom of God to a world that had no hope. Healing and casting out demons were tools to help proclaim the Kingdom of God, not a lifetime occupation for Jesus.

I think we get so lost in the miracles and the worship services that we forget how amazing that offer is: we have a chance to become citizens of the Kingdom of God. In the United States, immigration is a big political issue. We worry about undocumented immigrants. We celebrate with those immigrants who’ve jumped through all the hoops to become citizens. Yet, immigration into the Kingdom of God, which should be the most difficult place in the universe to enter, is a free gift from God to all who call on the name of Jesus Christ. There are no hoops to jump through. There are no complicated tests to pass. You don’t even have to die to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus reminds us often in the gospels that the Kingdom of God is among us. All you have to do to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God is trust Jesus to forgive your sins as you ask Him into your life. God’s Kingdom is accepting immigrants: no wall and no barriers unless you put them up. Follow Jesus now and enter His Kingdom.

Lord, thank You for allowing me to live in Your Kingdom. Let the quality of my life draw others to Your Kingdom and use me to proclaim the Kingdom of God to all.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.