"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." ~King JESUS
The word "repent" means much more than abhorring your sins and turning away from them. To repent also means to change your mind. Let me take it a step further - Strongs concordance says repent means: to change one's mind for better. I like that.
When Jesus came to Earth, everything shifted. He is not just King of the Jews - He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). So when the King came to Earth, He commanded people to repent because the King of the Kingdom was now in their midst and everything was about to change for the better. Jesus was preparing Earth to think differently about who God really is.
Jesus was the perfect will and reflection of God here on Earth. The King came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) - He came to give us life and life above and beyond our wildest imagination (John 10:10). Many of the religious scholars of that day were looking for a King who would come with an iron fist to rule, reign, and destroy anyone who got in His way. Jesus came to serve and demonstrate the Kingdom through signs, wonders, and miracles! He healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out devils. He revealed the essence of His Kingdom through His heart to love, forgive, and release mega grace to those who humbled themselves before Him.
When we know Jesus we will begin to understand the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven, for the culture reflects the King of the Kingdom. Jesus said, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" (Matt.6:33). In order to seek first His kingdom we must come to an understanding and knowing of the King...Jesus!
My challenge to you this day is to know the King...Jesus. Read the Gospels!! Find out how Jesus functioned here on Earth. He comforted the humble and broken and discomforted the proud and religious. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
