What Jesus Did! 'Good News of the Kingdom' — Luke 16:16

Sunday, September 24, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in."
— Luke 16:16 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus helps us understand that the Good News of the Kingdom began with John's preaching about the Christ. Moses and the prophets were the guides God had given for his people. However, with the coming of Jesus, a new time had begun. Jesus spoke of the Kingdom; he taught Kingdom values, spoke Kingdom parables, and displayed the power of God's Kingdom. This fresh message inspired fresh hope and ignited eager hearts. Luke's Gospel was written to help us hear the Good News of the Kingdom. It is a message of salvation and triumph rooted in the work of God throughout history and his great salvation that was accomplished in Jesus. It is God's Good News because it is about salvation, forgiveness, and the power of God's Spirit. It is God's Kingdom because his reign is seen in the repentance and life-change accomplished in the hearts and lives of those who confess Jesus as Lord.

Today's Prayer

Lord God Almighty, my Abba Father, thank you for your Good News! Thank you for Jesus, whose life, death, resurrection, exaltation, and outpouring of the Spirit make this Good News possible. I gladly live my life with Jesus as my Lord and pray that your Kingdom may be displayed in me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 16:16 NLT — "Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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