Kingdom Arrival: The Good News That Changes Everything

Mark 1:1 - 18

Carl Bloch: Sermon on the Mount

The Kingdom Has Arrived

We live in a world where kingdoms rise and fall, where power structures shape the way we live, and where we long for something better—something truer. That longing is not misplaced. It is, in fact, the heartbeat of the biblical story: the story of a kingdom.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells us about God’s kingdom—His perfect rule, humanity’s rebellion, and His mission to restore what was lost. And in Mark 1, we see the turning point: the arrival of the King.

Preparing for a King

We prepare for the things that matter. Weddings, exams, important meetings—our preparation reflects their significance. But what if a king were coming?

In 1861, Queen Victoria visited Muckross House in Ireland. The Herbert family, once a well-respected household, received word that the Queen would stay in their home for two days. They knew this was a rare honor—one that could elevate their standing or bring shame if they were unprepared.

With years to prepare, they spared no expense. The house underwent extensive renovations. Grand tapestries were ordered from the finest weavers, mirrors and chandeliers were imported, and new carpets were laid down to ensure every step the Queen took was one of luxury. They even redesigned the gardens, carefully curating the landscape to ensure that every flower was in bloom at the right time. New servants were hired and trained in proper etiquette, all to ensure that their household would be deemed worthy of the Queen’s presence.

As the day of her arrival drew closer, the tension and excitement in the household grew. The family rehearsed their bows and greetings, ensuring every movement was precise and dignified. When Queen Victoria finally arrived, the house was unrecognizable from what it had been just years before. Every detail had been accounted for. The family held their breath as they welcomed her, hoping that their hard work would be deemed worthy of such an esteemed guest.

Yet, after her brief visit, the Queen departed, and life for the Herbert family returned to normal. The lavish changes they had made remained, but the presence of royalty was fleeting. The Queen left, and they were left wondering if all their effort had truly changed anything lasting.

Now imagine the King of the Universe coming—not for a short visit, but to bring His kingdom. How should we prepare?

The Story So Far

To grasp the significance of this passage, we need to step back into the grand story of Scripture. In the beginning, God created the world as His kingdom, with humanity living in harmony with Him. But Adam and Eve rejected God’s rule, bringing chaos, shame, and separation. God then chose Israel to represent Him, but they too rebelled, leading to exile. Yet through the prophets, God promised a second and greater Exodus—one that would restore not just Israel, but all nations.

This is the moment Mark picks up. He tells us that Jesus steps onto the scene as the fulfillment of every promise.

Mark’s Gospel begins with a declaration: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” This echoes Genesis 1—God is doing something as radical as creation itself. It’s not just another chapter in history; it’s a new era. The term “good news” (gospel) was used in the ancient world for royal announcements—especially the birth or victory of an emperor. Mark is making a bold claim: Jesus is the true King.

Mark tells us that God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way. He stood in the wilderness calling people to repentance, urging them to turn from their old ways and realign their hearts with God. Surprisingly, he called everyone—not just the traditionally sinful or outcast—to leave behind their former lives and publicly demonstrate their renewed commitment. This act of baptism was a symbolic cleansing, marking a decisive break from the past and a readiness to fully embrace the coming kingdom of God.

John's ministry was the fulfillment of the prophecies in Isaiah and Malachi, which spoke of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. This preparation was not just about welcoming a leader but about ushering in a new exodus—a moment of salvation where God's people would be freed, not from physical captivity, but from the bondage of sin and spiritual exile. Isaiah declared that one would come, calling out in the wilderness, making straight paths for God. This was not about geography but about the hearts of the people. They needed to turn back to God, to be ready to receive the Messiah. In this way, John’s call to repentance was about much more than individual sin—it was about a collective readiness for the new thing God was doing in Jesus.

The King’s Arrival

Jesus does not enter the scene as a political conqueror, nor as a ruler demanding immediate loyalty. Instead, He comes humbly, identifying with the very people He came to save. He steps into the waters of baptism—not because He needs repentance, but to demonstrate His full solidarity with humanity and His unwavering allegiance to the purposes of God. When Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends on Him, confirming that He is the anointed King who will lead God’s people into a new kingdom. The heavens tear open, just as the temple curtain will be torn at His crucifixion. This signals that access to God is being restored through Jesus, that the barriers of sin and separation are being removed, and that a new chapter in salvation history is beginning. Just as Israel had passed through the waters of the Red Sea into a new life of freedom, so too does Jesus’ baptism mark the beginning of a new exodus—a deliverance from sin and death into the freedom of God’s reign. Then, in a moment of divine affirmation, God’s voice declares, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” These words draw from Psalm 2 and Isaiah 42, identifying Jesus as the royal Messiah and the suffering servant. This moment marks the beginning of His public ministry, a defining act that signals the arrival of God's kingdom in a way that would challenge expectations.

The Upside-Down Kingdom

But this kingdom is not what people expected. Israel anticipated a Messiah who would overthrow Rome, but Jesus came to defeat a greater enemy—sin, death, and the forces of darkness. Earthly kingdoms impose their rule, but Jesus invites people into His kingdom through repentance and belief. Instead of demanding tributes, this kingdom gives gifts—most notably, the Holy Spirit. In God’s kingdom, fishermen become leaders, the rejected are welcomed, and greatness is found in humility and faithfulness. Unlike worldly rulers who stay distant from their people, Jesus enters our world, sharing in our struggles and suffering.

The Invitation: Repent and Believe

The first words of Jesus’ public ministry in Mark’s Gospel are: “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Repentance is not just feeling bad about sin—it’s a radical reorientation of life. It’s leaving behind old allegiances and stepping into a new reality.

Mark gives us a picture of repentance through the calling of the disciples. When Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John, they immediately leave their nets and follow Him. Their nets weren’t sinful, but they represented their old way of life. To enter the kingdom, they had to let go and trust Jesus for something better.

This is what repentance looks like for us today: letting go of the world’s way of thinking and embracing the way of Jesus.

The Gospel: The Best News Ever

Mark’s Gospel is all about the good news—but what makes it good?

Jesus has come as the rightful King, bringing God’s reign to earth. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin and death, offering freedom to all who follow Him. The kingdom is open to anyone who will repent and believe.

The gospel is not just about going to heaven someday—it’s about heaven breaking into earth now. It’s about restoration, healing, and the fulfillment of our deepest longings.

Preparing Our Hearts

So how do we respond? The truth is, we cannot fully prepare our hearts on our own. Our efforts will always fall short, but the good news is that Jesus, our King and Leader, does the work in us. He goes before us, making the way clear, and through His Spirit, He transforms our hearts to align with His kingdom. Like John the Baptist’s audience, we must prepare our hearts. This means confession—acknowledging where we have rebelled against God’s kingdom. It means surrender—leaving behind old ways of thinking and trusting in Jesus. It means expectation—being open to what God wants to do in our lives today.

This passage is not just a history lesson—it’s a call to action, but it is also a call to dependence. We do not prepare alone; Jesus Himself prepares us, leading us step by step into His kingdom ways. The King has come. His kingdom is breaking in. And we are invited to be part of it. This means actively seeking ways to embody the kingdom’s values in our daily lives. It could be extending forgiveness where it’s hard, choosing humility over pride, or serving others selflessly. We prepare our hearts not just through words, but through intentional choices that reflect Jesus’ reign in our lives.

The kingdom has arrived. Will we respond?