The Message and the Method

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34) 

Last week, we discussed Jesus’ motives and mission. These people wandered as sheep without a shepherd, wayward and lost throughout the was moved to mission, moved to teach. This brings up the other two points that are equally important. What of Christ’s message and method? 

Jesus’ message was about the kingdom of God. Hasn’t this always been the message? Satan sought to set up a rival kingdom in the Garden, and God foretold of the Seed of the Woman that would crush and triumph over the seed of the serpent. Christ would crush the head of that dastardly, devilish kingdom and rescue lost souls from his dark dominion. But what is the kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is where the King reigns, where God exerts His royal power in the act of salvation. Isn’t that what we see in Psalm 2? ““As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill. I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.’” If the Kingdom of God is about the King and the King’s power, it is also about the King’s rule. Christ reigns over His people, and those who have citizenship in heaven are to live as citizens in heaven, as those under the law of Christ. Jesus Christ is our Creator and Redeemer, our Rescuer and our Ruler; we have every reason under the sun to love and obey Him. 

Isn’t this what lost sheep need? Some are lost because they have never heard the of the Christ’s royal power in salvation. The gospel has never been preached to them, and the shackles of Satan have never been shattered. They need this message. Others have been wandering and wayward, never taught how to live as citizens of Christ’s kingdom. They’ve never heard the law of liberty explained nor the joy which comes from obedience. They need this message. More than any time in recent memory, we need to know why we live and how to live. 

But what of the method? Christ entrusted this message to the apostles and to the faithful men who came after them. Paul’s final sermon in Acts was on the kingdom of God, and his final command to Timothy was to preach the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ exercises His reign through and over His church – not a para-church ministry, not a soup kitchen, not a million other good civic activities. No, He entrusted this message to the church (Eph. 1:20-23). Yes, we must go and take the message as ambassadors of Christ, but we must also tell others to “come” (John 1:39, 4:29). If the church does not factor into your method, then you may be a part of a different kingdom. 

Christian, share Christ’s motive, participate in Christ’s mission, hear Christ’s message, support Christ’s method. Be a citizen of Christ’s kingdom.