Moment of Meditation: Thy Kingdom Come (Mark 1:15)

Original Broadcast: May 2009

Monthly Theme: The Lord's Prayer

[Jesus said:] "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe the Gospel."
(Mark 1:15)

"Thy Kingdom Come"

The first recorded words of Jesus in St. Mark's Gospel show the Second Petition in all its clarity. Jesus is bringing about the Father's kingdom by His preaching in the world.

In the Heidelberg Catechism, the Second Petition means: "Rule us by Your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to You. Keep Your Church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against You and every conspiracy against Your Word. Do this until Your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all" (Question 122).

In Luther's Catechism, "God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity" (SC III, 3b).

In both of these catechisms, the end result is the same. God's kingdom comes by itself through His Word and His grace. It comes as people believe in the Gospel presented by Jesus Himself.

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel" today. Amen.