The Kingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God

Notes fromNotes from

Eugene H. PetersonEugene H. Peterson

The Jesus WayThe Jesus Way

Salvation is the work of God that restores the world and us to wholeness.

Wherever I am, and wherever I find myself in history, in geography, in “sickness or in health,” in whatever circumstance, I am in the middle of it.

I am in the middle of God’s salvation.

Jesus’ term: In the kingdom of God.

“What is God doing?”

Jesus tells us what God is doing.

Jesus is God in action.

Jesus is God speaking.

Jesus is God speaking through action.

Jesus is the way we come to God.

Jesus is our way to God.

Jesus did not give explicit lectures and seminars on how to live in the kingdom of God.

He simply said “Follow me.”

If you want to participate in the end, the salvation, the kingdom of God, we must do it in the way that is appropriate to that end.

We follow Jesus.

The way that Jesus brought to full expression in his life, death, and resurrection.

“What would Jesus do?” is not enough.

“How does Jesus do it?”

-- Joseph Hall: “God loves adverbs; and cares not how good, but how well.”

-- Adverbs modify and give clarity to the verb “follow,” giving daily and detailed texture to the “way” we follow Jesus.

-- We cannot follow Jesus any which way we like.

The Kingdom of God = The rule of God

When you are ruled by God, salvation

comes upon you.

The Kingdom of God = The rule of God When you are ruled by God, salvation comes upon you.

Repent = Turn away from your own way.

Believe = Follow Jesus’ way.

--The way to bring about the rule of

God on you.

--The way to bring salvation to you.

The Kingdom of God = The rule of God When you are ruled by God, salvation comes upon you.

Repent = Turn away from your own way.Believe = Follow Jesus’ way. --The way to bring about the rule of God on you. --The way to bring salvation to you.

You believe in who He is (his identity), therefore, you believe His way is trustworthy, and the only way (= He is able, the power).

“…proclaiming the good news of God.” [= salvation] (1.14)

“…The kingdom of God is near.” (1.15)

“Repent and believe the good news!” (1.15) “Come, follow me.” (1.17)

Back to the Prologue:

1. John the Baptist: He prepared the “way of the Lord” ( = salvation).

2. Jesus’ baptism: Jesus is on his way.

Who He is.

We who are ready to follow Jesus are also on his

way.

3. Jesus tempted: Pay attention to the way of the Lord.

Back to the Prologue:1. John the Baptist: He prepared the “way of the Lord” ( = salvation).2. Jesus’ baptism: Jesus is on his way.

3. Jesus tempted: Pay close attention to the way of the Lord.

Necessity is underlined. This has to take place before the story can continue. Apparently there are wrong ways (devil’s ways) to be on “the way of the Lord.”

Jesus had to do it; we have to do it. How He does it; that’s how we have to do it.

The wilderness provides the place and time to clarify what is involved.