Jesus' Kingdom of God: A New Reality for Humanity

The Kingdom's Meaning and Impact

Jesus preached about a transformed reality for Earth called the "Kingdom of God," offering a new reality for humans to experience heaven and God's presence of love and justice on Earth. This concept of social justice closely resembled Jewish law, but Jesus' message resonated more widely. Herbert McCabe even stated, "Jesus dies of being human."

During his time on Earth, Jesus' teachings about the "Kingdom of God" held profound implications for humanity. His parable (Matthew 13:36-43) explains this Kingdom as a separation between the good and the bad after death, concluding with, "He who has ears, let them hear." This emphasizes the potential for reformation; those who heed God's word can be included in the Kingdom, while those who don't face eternal damnation. This concept goes beyond Jewish Law, which only hints at an afterlife, with some Jewish people not even believing in one. Jesus, however, spoke about it in detail.

Mark interprets Jesus as the "Son of David/Messiah," fulfilling the prophecy of the "chosen one" despite living 1,000 years after David. Jesus earned this title through spreading God's word.

Jesus' Death, Resurrection, and the Kingdom

Mark connects Jesus' death and resurrection to the Kingdom of God, as the Bible states that Jesus opened the gates of heaven upon his death, solidifying the Kingdom's reality for humanity. His death and resurrection served as proof of his teachings' truthfulness. Herbert McCabe's statement, "Jesus dies of being human," suggests that Christ embodied true humanity in a world filled with fear. McCabe believes that fear negates Christ-likeness and, therefore, true humanity. Jesus died because his purity and truth were too much for the flawed humans on Earth. Our fear, whether of love or other things, hinders our humanity and creates a separation from God by eroding trust in His plan.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Impact

Jesus' parables and teachings about the Kingdom of God had a profound impact on Earth. Herbert McCabe's perspective offers a unique lens through which to view this impact. Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection are chronologically significant and interconnected. He exemplified justice while encouraging harmony between good and bad people, knowing that a final separation would eventually occur.