Matthew's Message: Seven NuggetsSample

Jesus' compassion for you “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them.” (Matthew 9:36) The Gospel of Matthew records that Jesus was moved with compassion for the people, because He saw that they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd". That is great news. For humanity still is "harassed and helpless" without God. Our situation has not changed much in this respect. Therefore Jesus' heart also goes out to us. He looks at the world, at our country, and at you and me, and He is moved with compassion. He knows that we need a Savior. He wants to come close to you. In this story, the Lord Jesus was travelling around Galilee. He made an effort to come close to people, and He still does. He seeks out everyone — even now, and even you. What does He do when He goes to all those places in Galilee? He preaches the gospel of the kingdom. What does that mean? There are four important aspects to it. The first is that the Kingdom means that God reigns. The earth will become as He intended it to be. The second is that it is the Lord Jesus who initiates the Kingdom. The third is that entrance to the Kingdom of God is dependent on repentance. Access to the Kingdom is not automatic for everyone. You must acknowledge God as King and relinquish control over your own life. The fourth is that through the cross, Jesus gives forgiveness of sins to all who believe in Him. Repent and believe the gospel, and you will partake in that eternal kingdom where there is only happiness, peace, life, and prosperity.