WORD from the woods
Mark 1:14-20
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him."
This is a short passage, but I think its message is huge. Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, John the Baptist was preparing the way by telling them it was time, the long-awaited Messiah was here so repent and believe the gospel. John wasn’t telling them that the Messiah was coming just to love them and be their buddy. He called them to repentance, which means to stop in your tracks and change directions, turn from the path you’re on, and start down a completely different one. He was calling people to wake up and turn from their sin because the Kingdom of God was at hand. The Messiah, the King was coming! Yesterday, we celebrated the glorious resurrection of that very King, Jesus Christ. And not only did that King rise from the dead, He also ascended to His throne in heaven where He sits as the resurrected, glorified Messiah, our Savior, and King! That’s why His call for these men to follow Him was so important. And over 2,000 years later, He is still calling people to repent, believe the gospel, and follow Him. The Kingdom of God was and still is at hand, the day of salvation is now. With everything going on in the world today, we don't know what the future holds, and that makes turning to Christ today so much more important. As Christ-followers, we need to communicate the same message that Christ did in this passage, instead of the popular "Jesus just wants to love on you and give you your best life now message." Jesus does want to love us, but millions of people around the world are facing the reality of trials and tribulations like never before. Christ doesn’t promise deliverance from trials if we follow him, he promises something far greater, He promises deliverance from the curse of sin! Look at Christ's call and the Disciples’ response. Jesus doesn't just want us to trust Him with our death so we can have eternal life in heaven. He wants our life, He wants it now and for eternity! When Jesus Christ called these men, they responded by literally dropping their nets leaving all they knew, and following Him with their whole hearts. Now, I'm not saying that we should all leave our jobs to follow Christ. Many people are called out of their jobs to follow Christ. Many are called to follow Him faithfully right where they’re at. What Christ wants is our heart, all of it. I truly believe that God has called me to be a logger, but not just a logger, a logger that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wherever you’re at in life, Christ’s call is to turn and follow Him today! Our King has called us to be the light of the world as we go on day to day in this life. What is your response to the call of Christ to repent and believe the gospel, and follow Him? I hope and pray that it would be to follow Him as these fishermen did, with your whole heart!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
Mark 1:14-20
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him."
This is a short passage, but I think its message is huge. Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, John the Baptist was preparing the way by telling them it was time, the long-awaited Messiah was here so repent and believe the gospel. John wasn’t telling them that the Messiah was coming just to love them and be their buddy. He called them to repentance, which means to stop in your tracks and change directions, turn from the path you’re on, and start down a completely different one. He was calling people to wake up and turn from their sin because the Kingdom of God was at hand. The Messiah, the King was coming! Yesterday, we celebrated the glorious resurrection of that very King, Jesus Christ. And not only did that King rise from the dead, He also ascended to His throne in heaven where He sits as the resurrected, glorified Messiah, our Savior, and King! That’s why His call for these men to follow Him was so important. And over 2,000 years later, He is still calling people to repent, believe the gospel, and follow Him. The Kingdom of God was and still is at hand, the day of salvation is now. With everything going on in the world today, we don't know what the future holds, and that makes turning to Christ today so much more important. As Christ-followers, we need to communicate the same message that Christ did in this passage, instead of the popular "Jesus just wants to love on you and give you your best life now message." Jesus does want to love us, but millions of people around the world are facing the reality of trials and tribulations like never before. Christ doesn’t promise deliverance from trials if we follow him, he promises something far greater, He promises deliverance from the curse of sin! Look at Christ's call and the Disciples’ response. Jesus doesn't just want us to trust Him with our death so we can have eternal life in heaven. He wants our life, He wants it now and for eternity! When Jesus Christ called these men, they responded by literally dropping their nets leaving all they knew, and following Him with their whole hearts. Now, I'm not saying that we should all leave our jobs to follow Christ. Many people are called out of their jobs to follow Christ. Many are called to follow Him faithfully right where they’re at. What Christ wants is our heart, all of it. I truly believe that God has called me to be a logger, but not just a logger, a logger that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wherever you’re at in life, Christ’s call is to turn and follow Him today! Our King has called us to be the light of the world as we go on day to day in this life. What is your response to the call of Christ to repent and believe the gospel, and follow Him? I hope and pray that it would be to follow Him as these fishermen did, with your whole heart!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-