Jesus said: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand - Mt 4:17 -

The original Korean text: https://blog.naver.com/stevision/50025357631

 

The word 'Jesus' means 'God is the deliverer' in Hebrew. At the time of Jesus' earthly life, Israelites longed for God's salvation. In other words, it was their wish that they be politically liberated, establish a strong nation, and serve God freely in the old way without being interfered by the Gentile oppressors. So many people gave birth to children and called them Jesus. The name Jesus was very common at that time.

 

How can 'salvation and liberation' be only their wish! People today, too, want to be freed from poverty, low status and disease. The first good news that Jesus, who came down to the world with the historical mission of human salvation, declared was this, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." It was his first mention because it was very important.

 

Baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus went to the wilderness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in order to be tested by the Devil. It's a kind of qualification test. How can he deliver those who live as servants of Devil, without having passed the test by Devil? Jesus fasted for 40 days. Simply put, he ate nothing then. Devil came to Jesus and said to him, "If you're the Son of God, turn this stone into bread." What does this mean? You can get bread through your labor. The saying, "Turn the stone into bread just by saying one word," is none other than trying to disregard God's law (sincerity) and justice. Many people mistake God that he rules over the universe like a capricious dictator because his is omnipotent. Absolutely not! How can a king judge his people transgressing the law when he does not keep the law himself? You'll be rebuked hard by God if you say that God reaps without sowing. Jesus replied to the Devil, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This is God's law and word: You can reap an abundant harvest only if you go out into the field in spring to sow seeds in tears. Jesus decided not to do the work of God in illegal ways then. Of course, Jesus' reply includes this teaching also: You should not live according to the desires of the flesh.

 

Devil led Jesus to the top of the temple of God and asked him to jump down. He said that the angels of God would hold him up with their hands then before he got injured. This means that Devil wanted Jesus to prove himself to be the Son of God like that. Jesus said, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." Some people were severely punished when they continued testing God. They are Israelites who were wandering about in the wilderness. Whenever they met a little difficult situation, they wept, and complained to Moses and God, saying, "Have you brought us from Egypt to this place to kill us?" All things have their times in the God. A typical example of 'testing God' is not trusting God and weeping aloud every day before the time has come. 'Tempt (Test)' includes a meaning 'instigate one to do something'. Falling from a high place is absolutely useless for the cultivation of one's character and the salvation of humans. Testing God's love and sincerity by such vain deeds is presumptuous, and only a proud sinful man does that. A humble man does not test others.

 

Devil led Jesus to a high mountain and showed him the splendor and glory of the whole world, and said to Jesus, "If you bow to me, I'll give these all to you." Jesus replied, "Be gone, Satan!" This means we should worship only God. But how many are there in history who worshipped Devil to seize the power of the world, harassed others during short days of their life, but were cast into the hell forever! You need firm resolution and determination in order to resist these temptations of the Devil. "Be gone from me, Devil!"

 

After passing these three tests successfully, the first thing Jesus said was, "Repent!" What must we repent? We must repent first the life seeking after the pleasure of the flesh rather than the word of God, the life testing God in unbelief and pride, and the life of a servant of Devil seeking for the glory and wealth of the world, which is just a vanity. The word kingdom of heaven in the Bible originally means 'the rule of God', because the kingdom of heaven is achieved personally and socially where God's rule is. When we overcome these three tests, God's reign is established within us. Those who want to imitate Jesus must overcome these three crucial tests like Jesus. From this point on, salvation of humans begins to individuals and nations.