And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

Luke 8:1

We now see Jesus returning to many of the places He had visited before in His native region of Galilee. During this second tour of Galilee, Jesus will perform many more miracles and also do a great deal of teaching. It is during this portion of His earthly ministry that we have the largest record of His teachings.

Luke summarizes the theme of Jesus’ teaching in the phrase “preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.”

First of all, we cannot ignore that Jesus did this in two ways. He preached or taught the principles of the gospel, and He also lived the gospel. Preachers should do both of these things. All children of God should do the latter.

Next, Jesus taught “glad tidings.” His ministry was not filled with the doctrine of threats of eternal condemnation. He preached and showed compassion and love. The true gospel does not threaten the child of God. It teaches him what God has done for him in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Further, it encourages righteous living in thankfulness for what God has already done for him and in him.

Finally, Jesus taught tidings of the kingdom of God. This means that the kingdom was there at that time. John the Baptist preached the same thing. The truth is, God’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom both in heaven and in earth. It has always been and always will be. When Jesus came, born of a virgin, He ushered in a more visible state of the kingdom of God that had been on earth all along.

Jesus will not be returning to try to establish His kingdom because He did not fail to accomplish it the first time. No, Jesus reigns now. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of His Father having finished the work He was given to do.

Jesus is not wondering whether or not His work will be accepted by men, for it was never offered to men. He offered Himself once unto the Father, and God accepted that offering. One day Jesus will return to collect all the elect and bring them into the full glory of the everlasting kingdom of God!