Matthew 4:17
In Matthew 4:17 (NRSVUE), Jesus said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” The phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” is used 32 times in the gospel of Matthew, where we read about Jesus beginning one of his earthly missions of spreading the word about the “Kingdom of God.”
After Jesus first spoke these words, wherever He went and whenever He preached, this was His subject. According to the Bible commentary by Matthew Henry, neither Jesus nor his disciples ever considered this phrase to be worn out, so they preached about it again and again. The reason this message was preached during Jesus’ time is still relevant today, for the Kingdom of heaven is still near.
But what exactly does this phrase mean? For me to better grasp the meaning of Matthew 4:17, I change the last word from “near” to “here.” The Kingdom of God is right here, right now; it is with us every day and everywhere.
We do not know our future. Will we have the same opportunity as the thief on the cross? That man lived a life of crime and admitted he deserved his death on the cross, yet, in those last few hours of his life, he repented. He turned his life around. Jesus rewarded his repentance with these comforting words, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” With Christ in our lives, the ultimate gift at the end of our life is the gift of eternal life.
My younger brother died suddenly while on vacation with his family. One hour he was here, and the next hour he was gone. He left this earth so young and so quickly. We don’t know if we will have an opportunity at the last moments of our life to repent like the thief on the cross.
But, do we only repent to ensure eternal life? James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says.” Repentance does not only pay benefits in the afterlife, it provides us immediate and tangible benefits because we are turning our lives to Christ. The thief was granted eternal life, but he lost out on a lifetime of benefits of having Christ in his life. His choice of a life of crime could not provide him the life of peace, love and comfort that Christians experience living with Christ.
The New Century Bible translates Matthew 4:17 as, “Change your hearts and lives, because the Kingdom of heaven is near.” May we live our lives with Christ in our hearts and know the love and joy that it will bring. May we change our hearts and lives to His ways and live each day as if it were our last. May we welcome the comforting words of Jesus that the Kingdom of heaven is near.
Questions for Reflection:
- In what ways can we repent today?
- How is God showing us glimpses of eternity in today?
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven,
Please help us to repent and turn away from sin and disobedience to you. The Lord’s Prayer asks that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. Help us to work to bring this about. Help us to remember that Your kingdom is always near. In your name we pray forever and ever. Amen
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