Scholars of diverse theological persuasions agree that Jesus' gospel centered on the kingdom of God. What was Jesus concept of the kingdom?

1. One reply forces the interpretations and translations toward a single, homogeneous answer: the kingdom of God (or kingdom of heaven) is a culminating and dramatically transformative world event coming soon in the future. This interpretation assumes that every part of the text (cherished as the first of the New Testament accounts) is fully reliable. This interpretation leads us to conclude that Jesus was wrong in his prediction.

2. Another line of interpretation is to recognize multiple meanings in the term, "kingdom of God" and to let the translations show the many-sidedness of Jesus' gospel. Jesus' gospel had its spiritual simplicity and its complexity. As we study the ideas and concepts that enrich it, we must not lose sight of the spiritual simplicity. It takes time in meditation and prayer to let these phases sink in and become integrated in your mind and heart and soul.

"The kingdom of God is at hand" (1.15). This word announces what has already arrived--now! Can we link our rejoicing to that gospel proclamation?

Entering the kingdom is easy. "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it" (10.15). Entering as a child can be difficult for some, who may need to repent (1.15), which may include giving up some major soul obstacle to joining the way (recall the rich man who held on to his money when that was the one thing required of him [10.21]): "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God" (10.24). Consider another teaching: "When Jesus saw that he [the scribe who had asked about the greatest commandment] had answered wisely, he said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God" (12.34). Thus it is possible to be close to the kingdom, but not quite in. The gospel is good news. What reflection do we need to enable us to see this side of Jesus' teaching as part of news that we can truly find to be good?

The kingdom takes time to ripen--in an individual and on our planet. The parable of the sower presents the differential reception to the gospel. The parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed indicate the rhythm of growth (4.1-32).

The kingdom was coming in the (then) near future. "There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power" (9.1). If we think of Jesus as one who knew the truth of what he promised, this cannot refer to any apocalyptic event (though Jesus did warn his followers about the Roman armies coming to Jerusalem). The reasonable interpretation is that Jesus is referring to the coming of the Spirit of Truth at Pentecost, which empowered his followers--indeed all flesh, insofar as they would cooperate--to proclaim the new and better way by their lives. Can we open up to receive, and then ask for, that powerful realization of truth?

There is a heavenly kingdom. "Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God" (14.25).

Proclaiming the gospel was Jesus' main purpose: "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do" (1.38; compare the purpose for the apostles and others, 16.15, 16.20).

Jesus' gospel was not centered on Jesus. Jesus repeatedly tells people not to proclaim about him as a healer, Messiah, or Son of God (1.44; 5.19; 5.43; 736; 8.30). It was the purpose of the author of Mark, however, to present Jesus as the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God, so he naturally emphasized every element conducing to his purpose--healings, exorcisms. Mark focuses on Jesus' actions and interactions, showing surprisingly interest in the actual teachings of Jesus. Therefore, Mark's Gospel contrasts with Jesus' gospel. This is not to say that Mark's beliefs about Jesus are false, but it does raise a question. Are there unsuspected resources in Jesus' gospel? What if Jesus' was actually wise in not foregrounding a message about himself? What would happen if we discovered the real gospel of Jesus? Who is ready to pray for such added enlightenment, revelation, and insight?

Here are some associated teachings.

The gospel truth of personality relationships underlies the great commandments. The first [great commandment] is, 'Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (12.29-31). The gospel is not a commandment, but a proclamation of good news, of saving truth. That truth, however, has moral implications. It should be possible to infer the core of Jesus' gospel from the most basic moral teachings. What basic truth about relationships is implied by the two great commandments? Intelligent worship and loving service are the first practices of the kingdom. "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all" (9.35). "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all" (10.43).

"Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (3.35).

Jesus uses the terms "God," "Father", and "Abba" (8.38; 11;25; 13.42; 14.36, and intimate, but not infantile term--"Daddy" is not quite a correct translation). What quality of relationship is expressed by these words?

Is talk of the kingdom the best vocabulary to use today? Mark emphasizes how often Jesus was misunderstood. Part of the challenge was the newness of the truth Jesus brought and the many-sidedness of his teaching. But part of the problem was presenting the gospel in terms of a kingdom. Jesus accepted the term to adapt to the vocabulary required to reach the people of his place and time. Jesus, who had taught, "Give to God what belongs to God and to the emperor what belongs to the emperor" (12.17) seemed to put himself in a direct collision course with worldly power by the use of the term, "kingdom." The idea of Jesus as a king was a phrase of cruel irony used by those who put Jesus to death (15.12; 15.18; 15.32), while Joseph of Arimathea was "waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God" (15.43). .

So far, we have just considered Mark. It is too early to form a conclusion, but we can begin to harvest a preliminary result from this study.

The kingdom of God is the family of God--a family that, in one sense, includes the faithful and, in another sense, includes the neighbor--everyone. Think of the concept of the gospel you are developing and how you want to express your concept. We don't all have to shape our teach in the same way, using the same terms. Our understandings will differ, but our spiritual unity should silently proclaim the quality of the unifying One we profess to follow. The family of God is like a friend in the swimming pool calling out, "Come on in--the water's fine!" Find a pathway to a gospel message in which you can rejoice.