“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galillee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news’” (Mark 1:14-15).
Mark’s gospel, written to a Roman audience that valued efficiency, is the shortest and most stripped down to the essential message for salvation. Bypassing the birth stories, it starts in chapter one with Jesus’ baptism by John and the Savior’s message that “the time has come.” Having witnessed the anticipation of Star Wars VII that debuted in theaters last month, how much more were God’s chosen people awaiting the coming Messiah? And so, with His forerunner in Herod’s prison, Jesus walks beside the remote shoreline of Galilee, calling disciples to Him with the good news that it was now time! Time for what? The kingdom of God was near. Preparation was needed. Instead of donning Vader or Leia costumes and standing in line for a week with fake lightsabers, the preparation for Jesus’ followers was to “repent and believe the good news.” A change of life was needed for a change of covenants. It is the same for us today.
Do you repent and believe the good news?
Doug Kashorek
Plattsburgh church of Christ
Plattsburgh, NY