“The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent and believe in the gospel.”
This verse sums up the heart of Christ’s preaching. “The time is fulfilled” means that the moment promised by God has arrived, and the expectation of the prophecies is now finding its fulfillment. With the phrase “the kingdom of God has drawn near,” Christ declares that God’s saving rule is already at work among people through his own person. The fitting response to this is twofold: repentance and faith. Repentance means a turning of heart and life, and faith means receiving the good news of the Gospel with trust. This word is the same call addressed to people of all times: to leave the path of sin and enter under God’s living and saving rule.