Mark 1:14-39
The main character has been
introduced, now the scene will be set and additional characters will be brought
forward. The story is beginning to unfold with an immediacy that is peculiar to
this Gospel.
Jesus preached a simple message, “The
kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news.” What is the good
news? That the kingdom of God is near?
Repent is the pivot point. To
repent is to not only seek forgiveness for trespassing but to turn around and
go a different way. It is as if Jesus is pointing towards the distant horizon
and says “the kingdom of God is that way so turn around and go that way. Not
only are you all heading the wrong way but you are trespassing on someone
else’s lawn.” It just so happens that Jesus is also going that way and can show
it to you. But you have to turn and follow him. Or at least turn to go the
direction Jesus is pointing.
And some do, namely his first
disciples. We are not sure why they followed him. All that we know is that
Jesus called and they responded. This cast assembles around Jesus as support to
his role as teacher, healer and guide towards the kingdom of God. And as they
follow they see amazing things.
Jesus becomes the example of not
only of the way to the kingdom but what a repentant heart looks like. A heart
that is set on the Kingdom, which is near, is filled with compassion, which
Jesus shows again and again. Jesus teaches with authority and heals.
On a Sabbath in a synagogue, Jesus
encounters an evil spirit. This spirit knows Jesus identity. One would think
that believers at church would recognize Jesus, but it is the evil spirit who
does. Who, today, recognizes Jesus for who he truly is, believers or evil
spirits? Encounters with the sick and evil spirits become a regular occurrence
on the way towards the kingdom of God. His authority reassures the believers
that Jesus knows what he is doing even if they do not yet know who Jesus is.
They will find out in time the full cost of the way to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus shows in word and action what it means to believe and follow.
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