For the NIV reading, click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:14-45&version=NIV
As you read this passage, a few things to mention: notice that 'good news' shows up again (as do other important words/concepts) and this reminds us to read ALL of the Gospel of Mark as good news. Also, this is the first time 'Kingdom of God' is mentioned, though it will appear repeatedly, not least in Jesus' parables. Mark 1:14-15 are very key verses for the whole book. Once again, keep in mind that who Jesus is and what that means are major concerns for Mark, so how does this passage help fill that out. And last, as always, how do we embody this text in our own lives?
Don't forget to post your comments/questions for others to read.
It is interesting to me that the Desciples left everything and went with Jesus. Also that Jesus wouldn't let the deamons that were in people speak. This shows me that satan is aware of who Jesus is. I keep remembering something that I was told a bit ago. The deamons believe in God so it isn't enough just to believe in God. I actually have to "move my feet" and actively follow him. I also noticed that in most cases the people had to ask to be healed. The one exception in this passage was Peter's mother-in-law. Another person that I know that has a disability keeps asking me why God doesn't heal him when he asks for healing. I am not quite sure what to tell him. I don't think that it is because of unconfessed sin which is one thing that this person has been told. Okay, I have finished writing my daily book.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the idea that Jesus called Simon and Andrew to follow Him and " at once
ReplyDeletethey left their nets and followed Him . And again
James and John left their families and careers
without hesitation. That is how important following Jesus is . There is such a sense of immediacy in these verses .I know that I waited long enough to follow Him , I need to leave my nets in the boat and get on with what really matters,the following .I love these verses.
V36-38 caught my eye. In the morning when the disciples tell Him "Everyone is looking for You!" Jesus say, ok let's get out of here. He thinks that for now His work is done here. V38 ends with "That is why I have come." He came to preach everywhere. And once people are looking for Him, He can go. I'm trying to map this onto our own evangelical calling, The Great Commission. To simplify the steps, I would say people can be in a variety of stages: 1) don't know about Jesus; 2) know but don't want more; 3) know and want more; 4) believers. Jesus feels that once the people of this region made it to step 3, He could move on, presumably leaving the work to others. By their actions we can safely call the people "followers" if not outright "believers." I'm struggling with how to wrap this up. I do think that once the people start looking, and choose to attend church regularly and learn more, our hardest work is done. But obviously all the work is done. Apparently Jesus knew something I don't ;-)
ReplyDeleteLook at us a bunch of Saturday 7AM do-gooders ;-). Hopefully Matt is still sleeping as he should be!
ReplyDeleteDarla, I think you hit on something really important - belief is not just about 'mental ascent' or holding to a set of creeds, though it does include it. And to go further, demons not only believe in who Jesus is, but they even 'shudder' - they have a fear-of-God/Jesus. The issue involves what you and Doc identified: 'following Jesus,' one of my favorite ways of talking about what it means to be a Christian. We'll deal with prayer and healing several times in upcoming passages.
ReplyDeleteDave, I was unfortunately up at 5...but it's worth it when I hold the little guy:) Dave, interesting thoughts...do you see what you mentioned as stages everyone goes through? Categories of people? What I find interesting and so frustrating in the last decade is that many are interested in Jesus, but have waning interest in the church...at least the institutional churches as they have been. Maybe mega-churches are filling the gap (?) and I've enjoyed going to a number of them, but I'm not completely convinced they are really developing what Mark would describe as 'followers of Jesus,' any more than other churches have. They sure draw the crowds though.
ReplyDeleteWhat do ya'll think Jesus meant when he preached about the 'kingdom of God?' (something most scholars say is at the heart of Jesus whole ministry).
ReplyDeleteMy stages were intended to be steps people would go through as they are introduced to, and then possibly attracted to, Jesus. As for the waning interest in the establishment church (my word), I could write all day on that. First, I think the main stream churches walk a narrow line of reaction to current needs without falling to relativism. On top of that, you have bills to pay. And quite frankly, very often we see that many of the current attendees (especially those paying the bills) would rather maintain the status quo than attract new believers. The mainstream churches are definitely in a bit of a pickle.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave.
ReplyDeleteOn a final note for Day 2, Jesus begins his ministry by preaching about the Kingdom of God. While many have mistaken this to mean heaven (probably due to Matthew's very Jewish phrase 'Kingdom of Heaven which is simply a circumlocution [round about way of saying something] for 'Kingdom of God']), it is an all embracing concept that means God's just and loving and authoritative rule which is partially already here and present, but will one day be full and final when Christ returns. This is supremely important for both New Testament theology and for living the Christian life from day to day. It means that for the follower of Jesus, and the church, those who embrace Jesus as Lord, God's reigning manager, the new Kingdom-of-God-life has already become a present reality...that's why Jesus can preach the Sermon on the Mount which has such extraordinarily high ethical ideals...because in the life of the Christian, God's rule is active, not the self nor the present earthly powers and principalities. This whole concept is meant to shape how we read the rest of Mark. Take heart, because as we'll see, even those closest to Jesus had a hard time. I suppose that's enough for now. Thanks all for sharing your thoughts today. For me, now, I'm asking: do I trust God is truly ruling in my life through Jesus, or do I too often try to set up and trust in my own little kingdom ventures? I don't really like confronting that question:( Tomorrow, Mark 2:1-22.
'Kingdom of God', it is an all embracing concept that means God's just and loving and authoritative rule which is partially already here and present, but will one day be full and final when Christ returns.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I envision when I pray that part of the Lord's prayer . Come on Kingdom !
I would love to believe that in my life , God's rule is active , not my self or earthly powers .Unfortunately , I know better .