The Public Ministry of Jesus - First announced to the children of Israel, this
messianic kingdom is intended to accept men and
The Kingdom of God
- “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has
come near; repent, and believe in the good news” Mk
1:15
What is “the Kingdom”?
 For the Jews…
- The Kingdom of God = Political Freedom
1. Unthreatened possession of the Promise
land
2. Victory in battles
3. Bountiful harvest
4. Economic prosperity
5. Peace, justice, greatness and prestige as a
nation
 For Jesus
- Jesus gives an original and definite
interpretation of the kingdom. It is premised on
the Jewish idea that arose from their communal
hope for salvation.
- Kingdom of God = Salvation
 It is the reign or rule of God, as originally planned by
God, as what the natural order of things was before
the Fall
 It is not a place, but an event
- God’s saving power breaking into history in a new
way
- Restoration of original harmony between God and
humans, humans with each other and humans with
the rest of creation.
- We get glimpses of its exact meaning from the
Parables
 It is both ‘present’ and ‘future’
- “Already here but not yet”
- “Present” and yet “Future”
- Future – no more poverty, disease, sadness
oppression, death
- Present – When hungry are fed, homeless are
sheltered, naked are clothed, God’s will is fulfilled.
The Kingdom is made present.
 Immediate Response
- There is urgency in the proclamation. We are
to repent and believe in the Gospel. Change
our ways and accept the Kingdom as it is
offered by Jesus.
- Conversion of heart and mind.
Who is “the kingdom” for?
- Everyone is called to enter the kingdom.
women of all nations (CCC 543_
 The poor and lowly (CCC 544)
• Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.” (Mt 5:3)
• “Poor in spirit”- those who have accepted Jesus
with humble hearts.
• The Father has revealed to these “little ones” the
gift of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Mt 11:25)
• Jesus himself shared the life of the poor (he was a
carpenter himself), he
also experienced the hardships of thirst, privation,
hunger and extreme pain while on the cross.
 The sinners
• "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mk
2:17)
• Even the worst of sinners is called to be
converted and to accept the boundless mercy of
the Father.
• Ultimate invitation is for conversion, back to the
Father who is merciful and has great things in store
for them in heaven (Lk 15:7, Mt 26:28)
The Kingdom of God in the Words of Jesus
The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12 ; Lk 6:20-22)
•Latin Beatitudo - “Blessedness”
•Greek Makarios
- “sense of inner contentment unaffected by
outward circumstances”
•The beatitudes articulate for us the addressees of
the Kingdom of God
The Parables of Jesus
The Parables of the Kingdom
- Gk. Parabole “a fictive illustration in narrative form”
- Hb. Marshal “riddle”
- The challenge of the parables is to discover the
truth behind the story and to act according to
message.
Classifications of Parables
A. The Parables on the Good News of the
Kingdom

- Tells how valuable the Kingdom is, and the
good it will bring to those who will enter it.
(End)
B. Parables on the Children of the Kingdom
- Shows how the disciples should behave in
order enter the Kingdom
(Means)
C. Parables on the Kingdom as Judgment
- These illustrate the sad fate of those who
rejects the gift of the Kingdom or those who did
not realize its urgency.
(Consequences)
 He also gave a portrait of life, through his
ministry he had been bread for others, selflessly
serving the needy.
 It was an anticipation of a new world free
from poverty, oppression, disease and
death. Where all are shall partake of the
grand banquet.
TRANSFIGURATION
 Jesus manifested his glory to Peter, James and
John, affirming Peter’s confession that Jesus
isthe “Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
(Mt 16:13- 20)
 Manifestation of the Trinity: Father (voice), Son
(Jesus), Holy Spirit (cloud)

The Lord’s Prayer  Moses and Elijah were “talking with Jesus”
- Jesus taught his disciples to call God “Abba” (Lk 9:30)
- He calls his disciples to enter into this intimacy as  affirms authority of Jesus
well. - like the two giants of Israelite tradition.
- Jesus calls members of the Kingdom of God as his  “about the Exodus that he will fulfill in
brothers and sister (Mark 3:35) Jerusalem.” (Lk 9:31)
- It teaches us:
 If God’s will is obeyed , there would be bread  Baptism of Jesus at the threshold of Public
for everybody, relationship would be intact, Ministry
and evil would be rendered powerless and all - an image of our own baptism
the world shall see the glory of the Lord”  Transfiguration
(Number 14:21) - at the threshold of the Passion, Death
and Resurrection; an image of our own
Start by doing what is necessary then do what is possible resurrection
and suddenly you’re doing the
impossible”.
-St. Francis of Assisi

The Kingdom of God in the Works of Jesus

Miracles
 Gk “dynamis” power
 Gk “semeion” sign
 It shows the following:
1. The power of God over all creation
2. A sign of what would it be like when God’s
Kingdom is fully established.
 Kinds of Miracles
1. Healing
2. Exorcism
3. Nature
4. Resuscitation

Table fellowship
 Jesus often likened the Kingdom of God to a
banquet.
Luke 14:15-21
 The last supper was a table fellowship.
 He did not just illustrate his passion and death.