Mark 1:14–15 ‘“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”’ (v15)
The Gospel of Mark is known as the fastest moving Gospel. It is believed that Mark leans on the eyewitness testimony of the apostle Peter, and we can certainly see something of Peter’s impetuous personality in the fast pace in which the Gospel is written.
These verses come at the very start of Jesus’ public ministry in this Gospel and offer us a summary of the sort of things He says and was preaching. We are so used to the words ‘good news’ that we forget their extraordinary impact upon the first hearers.
Some knew the routine life of following God’s law, and had perhaps become weary of trying hard to do good. Some had given up altogether and where scorned by the rule-keeping types. Jesus declares that God’s reign is coming close in and through His ministry.
The Gospel of Mark demonstrates what this looks like as God intervenes in sickness and suffering and death and demonstrates His glory. We can put our confidence in Him, meaning that we’re not just stuck with evil but can be on the side of good, enjoying one day a glorious future. God is still intervening in our lives. We look to Him and seek to enjoy this good news and share it with others.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Thank You that we are not left to figure out how to make sense of life, but You have spoken and drawn near in Jesus, and that makes everything different. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Make a list of reasons why God drawing near is good news for you and your family.
Scripture To Consider:
Isa. 35:4–6 & 40:9–31; Rom. 15:5–13; Rev. 21:1–4
