"The kingdom of God is near!"
S Luke 10:8-11 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’
O Jesus sends out seventy two disciples with an important message, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." What He means is that the kingdom of God has come to them in the form of a savior. Jesus tells them that this message is one of comfort and peace to those who welcome it, but a message of judgment for those who don't. So it is both a statement of gospel to those who receive it and law to those who reject it.
A "The kingdom of God is near," is a message of hope, comfort and peace to you and I. Where there used to be a great divide separating us from God, now God is near. God comes near to us first through Jesus Christ who was born in the flesh, then through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. God desires to be near us everyday through His Word. Whenever there is temptation, welcome God near to you. Whenever there is doubt, welcome God near to you. Whenever there is sin, welcome God near to you. He is our source of forgiveness, power and strength. God will still come near to all those who reject His message but for them He comes to bring judgment and condemnation.
P Dear Lord, thank You for coming near to us everyday. Helps us to always welcome You, so that Your presence will be our source of forgives and strength forever. In Jesus name, amen.