Mark 1:14-15
“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”” Mark 1:14-15 NIV
Mark wanted us to see that Jesus baptism by John, Jesus temptations in the wilderness, and John's arrest led to the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The good news of the Bible is that the King Jesus has come. The King Jesus has come to bring salvation from sin. The King Jesus has come to pay the price for sin, to reconcile sinners to God, to be a sacrifice for sin.Mark introduces us to Jesus proclaiming the good news of the gospel, that there is salvation for anyone who repents and believes. Jesus went to Galilee, the place of ministry in Mark's Gospel. He began to preach God's Good News about the nearness of God's Kingdom. This nearness of the Kingdom and this presentation of Good News mean people must respond by turning away from their sins. God's will must reign in our hearts if we are to receive this Kingdom. God's Good News must call us from our sin if we are to experience the power of this Kingdom in our own lives. Mark, states in verse 15, the Lord’s first words are, “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Throughout the Gospel, the coming of the Kingdom, faith, and repentance are in the forefront. To anyone concerned about their sins, these words of Jesus outline the entire doctrine of repentance and the relationship of the Bible’s two great teachings to repentance on the heart. First, the law convicts us and terrifies us with the judgment of being banished forever to hell for suffering and torture alongside the devil and his condemned angels. So when Jesus says, “The kingdom of God has come near!” He is really talking about God gathering His people into the group of believers that is the Church, the communion of saints (believers). But to someone who is troubled over a sin, the Kingdom of God is also a reminder of judgment day and what will happen to those who are outside the communion of saints. But Jesus offers the way out of hell’s path, the way to heaven, which is the gospel of forgiveness and life. He says, “Repent and believe in the gospel.” This is the hand reaching out to the drowning man, it is the way of salvation. When we set aside our human opinions, our sinful rebellion, our stubborn resistance, and let ourselves be lifted up by Jesus, we are saved. So I believe repentance consists only in two things: fear and faith. Fear is the recognition that my sins have done damage to my relationship with God and they have cost me dearly, so that we stand condemned and certain of hellfire, but faith is the hand of God reaching out to our hand, grasping us the way a father grasps the hand of his child, and faith receives all of the benefits and blessings of God because we trust in Jesus. An example of faith is the I.V. tube that the nurse inserts into an arm so that the benefits of the medicine go where they’re supposed to go. Believe in the gospel. Believe in Jesus. This is salvation in its simplest words, and it’s yours. This is the gospel and it is the greatest news in the world. It’s not just information, it’s an invitation to repent and believe!!!
Father thank You for this day and the wonderful way that Your Truth is unfolded and Your Word is fulfilled in Scripture. Lord let your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord thank You for the lessons that we can learn from John the Baptist who faithfully fulfilled his calling, despite the cruel persecution he endured. Lord thank You for the example that You gave us in those early years of Your life and ministry, when You quietly waited until the appointed time to begin Your work. Lord help us to follow their good example and be faithful to our calling, and give us the grace to wait for Your perfect timing in life. Lord use my friend to be a voice of the Gospel to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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