The Kingdom of God Is Near — sacred illustration
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Faith & Doubt

The Kingdom of God Is Near

Mark 1:14-15

Jesus began proclaiming “the kingdom of God is near” in Galilee, right after John the Baptist was arrested: “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:14-15).

Lord Jesus, You did not wait for an easier day. You went into Galilee and said that the kingdom of God is near. Come near to me now. Where I have turned away, turn my heart back to You. Help me believe Your good news, today and every day. Amen.

The Scripture

“After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!””

— Mark 1:14-15

Prayer points from Mark 1:14-15

  1. Thank Jesus that He came near and did not wait for an easier day.
  2. Tell Him honestly where you have turned away from Him.
  3. Ask Him to turn your heart back to Him.
  4. Ask for faith to believe His good news today.
  5. Pray for someone who has just received hard news.
  6. Ask Him to show you what it means that His kingdom is near to you.

About this verse

Mark has just told how Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan and then driven by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days. Now the scene turns. John, the one who had been preparing the way, is arrested. Later in his Gospel, Mark tells how Herod had John bound and put in prison. The man who had drawn crowds out to the river is suddenly silenced. That is the moment Jesus steps forward. He goes north into Galilee, the region of His hometown of Nazareth and of the towns along the Sea of Galilee, and He proclaims the gospel of God. His message is short and direct: the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is near, so repent and believe the good news. These are the first words of Jesus that Mark records. They are a prayer for a fresh start, and for anyone who needs good news after hard news.

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