In first-century Palestine the question dominating religious discussion was, How do we hasten the advent of the Kingdom of God? Jesus proposed a single way: the way of trust. He never asked his disciples to trust in God. Rather, he demanded of them bluntly, “Trust in God and trust in me” (John 14:1). Trust was not some feature out at the edges of Jesus” teaching; it was its heart and center. This and only this would bring on speedily the reign of God.
