Daily Bread 2011 - Mark 1
Daily Bread 2011 – Thursday February 10th, 2011 Mark 1:14-15
Jesus Announces the Good News
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
What Does This Mean?
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest gospel at 16 chapters. It is widely believed this is John Mark who was a close associate of the apostle Peter. Many feel John Mark recorded many of Peter’s recollections of Jesus. Mark is a fast paced narrative many focused on the events in Jesus’ life, with chapters 11-16 focused on the last week of his life. Many feel it is written from Rome.
In the first chapter we see one of the major thrusts of Mark’s gospel, God’s kingdom coming near. And in Mark’s gospel, God’s kingdom comes in power. Jesus heals a man by driving out an evil spirit, Peter’s mother in law who had a fever (which could be deadly in that day), then he healed many others who were demon possessed and had various other diseases.
So we see part of the Good News which Jesus proclaimed was that the Kingdom of God had come near. This Kingdom is where God’s rules or reign and not sickness, disease or the power of the devil. Importantly in order to participate in this Kingdom coming Jesus says we must “repent and believe”. Repent comes from the word “metanoia” which means to have a change of mind or thinking. Believe has to do with who or what we trust in. So to repent and believe means to change our minds to trust in the Good News which has come near in Jesus Christ!
What Does This Mean For Us?
As Jesus proclaimed this message that God’s kingdom had come near, he also called the disciples to follow him and they would “fish for people”. He gave them a glimpse of what this would look like as he ministered to the masses.
Importantly as Jesus demonstrated what God’s kingdom looks like it will be something that he will later be extended through the disciples and then the Church in the book of Acts. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As Martin Luther said in the Small Catechism, “God’s Kingdom will surely come, the only questions is will it come through us.”
Jesus may Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, and may we be open to Your bring Your rule and reign through our lives and through the Church. Amen.
Jesus Announces the Good News
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
What Does This Mean?
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest gospel at 16 chapters. It is widely believed this is John Mark who was a close associate of the apostle Peter. Many feel John Mark recorded many of Peter’s recollections of Jesus. Mark is a fast paced narrative many focused on the events in Jesus’ life, with chapters 11-16 focused on the last week of his life. Many feel it is written from Rome.
In the first chapter we see one of the major thrusts of Mark’s gospel, God’s kingdom coming near. And in Mark’s gospel, God’s kingdom comes in power. Jesus heals a man by driving out an evil spirit, Peter’s mother in law who had a fever (which could be deadly in that day), then he healed many others who were demon possessed and had various other diseases.
So we see part of the Good News which Jesus proclaimed was that the Kingdom of God had come near. This Kingdom is where God’s rules or reign and not sickness, disease or the power of the devil. Importantly in order to participate in this Kingdom coming Jesus says we must “repent and believe”. Repent comes from the word “metanoia” which means to have a change of mind or thinking. Believe has to do with who or what we trust in. So to repent and believe means to change our minds to trust in the Good News which has come near in Jesus Christ!
What Does This Mean For Us?
As Jesus proclaimed this message that God’s kingdom had come near, he also called the disciples to follow him and they would “fish for people”. He gave them a glimpse of what this would look like as he ministered to the masses.
Importantly as Jesus demonstrated what God’s kingdom looks like it will be something that he will later be extended through the disciples and then the Church in the book of Acts. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As Martin Luther said in the Small Catechism, “God’s Kingdom will surely come, the only questions is will it come through us.”
Jesus may Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, and may we be open to Your bring Your rule and reign through our lives and through the Church. Amen.
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