I want to tell you a story.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, in the region of Galilee, people living there heard the voice of a young man saying,
“The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.”

After declaring this truth about the kingdom of God, he said to a few fishermen standing there, “Come, follow me.”
And they immediately left their nets and followed him.

This young man did no wrong, spoke no evil, and taught about love more deeply than anyone else.
He is the one who said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Yet, he lived for only 33 and a half years.
And he was crucified and killed by the very people he lived among.

But God overturned that human verdict by raising him from the dead.
And now he is at the right hand of God.

God has also appointed a day when he will judge the world in righteousness by him.

This man is Jesus, the Son of the living God.

Though he lived only 33 and a half years, the message he spoke continues to transcend generations and bring hope into people’s lives.
These words and these events are recorded in the Holy Bible.

So, as you read this, I want to remind you of what Jesus said:
“The kingdom of God is near.”
And he calls you and me to follow him.

And just as he was raised from the dead,
so too will he one day raise us up by the Spirit of God,
so that we may live with him forever. (Romans 8:11)

Will you follow him?