Jesus Calls
For Meditation
Last week we were introduced to the Messiah King, but this week we get to hear his first words according to Mark. “The time has come,” Jesus said. “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus’ words are remarkable for so many reasons that made him a unique rabbinic figure at the time. Unlike most rabbis, he did not come bringing good religious guidance about how to to live God’s way. Instead, he came announcing good news about something new that God was doing in and through him. Not only that, but the good news he announced was not a spiritual message about personal salvation, but rather a public message of a new Kingdom that was being inaugurated in the world. This was a dramatic, demanding message that required people to “repent,” turn around, and believe that something new was happening in Jesus.
We then get a great story about Jesus making this call to a group of fishermen. Rabbis at the time would be sought out by students to learn the Torah. Not so with Jesus! Instead, he sought out his own students and called them to know and follow him! Shockingly, these men drop everything, leaving their vocations and their families to follow Jesus, prioritizing him above everything else.
We’ll consider this week what it means for us as 21st century Americans to hear and respond to this demanding call of Jesus. How is Jesus freshly calling you to be his disciple in this particular moment of your life?
Mark 1:14-20
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.