The proclamation of Jesus refers to the announcement and declaration of His identity, mission, and the message of the Kingdom of God. This proclamation is central to the New Testament and is foundational to Christian theology and practice.

Identity of Jesus

The New Testament presents Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is introduced as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies: "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1). The angel's announcement to Mary in the Gospel of Luke further affirms His divine identity: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32).

Mission of Jesus

Jesus' mission is articulated through His teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, proclaiming His mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" . This mission is further emphasized in Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" .

Message of the Kingdom

Central to Jesus' proclamation is the message of the Kingdom of God. In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus begins His public ministry with a clear message: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel" . This message calls for repentance and faith, emphasizing the nearness and reality of God's reign.

Public Proclamation

Jesus' public proclamation involved teaching in synagogues, preaching to crowds, and engaging with individuals. His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a significant example of His teaching, where He expounds on the values and ethics of the Kingdom. Jesus also used parables to convey deep spiritual truths about the Kingdom, as seen in Matthew 13.

Proclamation through Miracles

Miracles performed by Jesus served as a proclamation of His divine authority and the in-breaking of the Kingdom. In John 10:37-38, Jesus points to His works as evidence of His divine mission: "If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father" .

Proclamation of the Cross and Resurrection

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are the climax of His proclamation. In John 12:32-33, Jesus speaks of His impending death: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die" . The resurrection is proclaimed as the ultimate victory over sin and death, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" .

Commission to Proclaim

Before His ascension, Jesus commissions His disciples to continue His proclamation. In Matthew 28:19-20, He commands: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" . This Great Commission underscores the ongoing nature of proclaiming Jesus' message to the world.