400 years of waiting for God to break in again is ended as John the Baptist heralds the arrival of Jesus the Christ. The beginning of the good news!

We are drawn into the drama of vast crowds flocking to hear John the Baptist’s revival ministry. He is preaching a message of repentance, paving the way for one who will baptise not just in water, but in God himself!

Isaiah’s heart-cry hundreds of years earlier is now answered as Jesus appears on the scene, heaven is torn open and his Father speaks.

Jesus launches his ministry and the fast paced action begins. He comes expressing the life of the kingdom, preaching a message of repentance and faith.

Jesus immediately plunges into kingdom ministry and people are amazed at his teaching, spoken and demonstrated with authority.

The crowds come to watch Jesus reach out to the sick with compassion and healing; he also casts out demons as the life of the kingdom becomes a concrete reality before their eyes.

Shockingly eating with society’s rejects and provocatively healing on the Sabbath, Jesus begins demonstrating the new wineskin:  God’s kingdom.

Jesus begins teaching about God’s apparently secret kingdom using parables.  Some seem to understand, others do not.  He instructs them to attend to what he says and to dig deeply, for that is where the treasure is.