Mark: Living the Way of Jesus in the WorldSample

First Thought

The first fifteen verses of Mark’s Gospel are a kind of prologue to the rest of the Gospel. They offer the reader a privileged, bird’s-eye perspective on what’s about to unfold that the disciples themselves don’t yet have. The good news about Jesus the Messiah, Son of God, is the good news that God’s kingship was coming into being in a decisive, new way. Jesus has left the desert and gone to Galilee where the bulk of His public ministry will happen. The scene is set for the story to unfold, the story of the coming of the King. As yet, Jesus’ hearers didn’t understand what this was all about. Nevertheless, right from the beginning, Jesus called people to reorder their lives towards God’s purposes, to repent, to turn around, and go in a new direction, trusting in this good news. Isn’t that the case for us, too, sometimes: we don’t fully understand what’s going on, yet we know Jesus is inviting us to follow Him?

What Does the Bible Say?

How would you put Jesus’ proclamation into your own words? 

Living it Out

What difference does Jesus’ proclamation make for you in your everyday life?

Responding in Prayer

Almighty God, I trust the good news that, through Jesus, your kingdom has come, your future has broken into the present. Help me reorder my life towards your purposes (…). Amen.