This text exhorts the people to respond to the message of the Kingdom.
1. It is stated that Jesus went to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God after John was put in prison. The mission of John who was the herald and pioneer has come to a close. The real hero has entered the stage. The reason for John's arrest and imprisonment has been stated in John 6:12-18. John had criticised the unlawful marriage of King Herod to Herodias, the wife of Philip, his brother. When John had preached in the wilderness, Jesus preached in populated areas of Galilee, which also was the ruling territory of Herod Antipas. What Jesus did was the continuation of the preaching of John the Baptist. The same message of the nearness of the kingdom was proclaimed by both. If John's message had been shocking to the rulers and authorities, the same impact was felt by the message of Jesus also.
2. Jesus preached the message of the kingdom of God. The concept of the kingdom meant the rule of God. The rule of God is eternal. At the same time, it has to be acknowledged by many in their lives. So it is to be expected with hope. The proclamation that the time has come means that the time of fulfilment has already begun. The Kingdom of God is not an abstract reality. It is bright and visible in the person of Jesus. It is by responding to him that one can enter the kingdom. By being in him and growing in him, the kingdom also will grow in individuals and society.
3. Two basic emphases were there in the preaching of Jesus. They were to repent and to believe. These two things are the basic ingredients of discipleship. (Acts. 20:21) The prophets were continuously exhorting the people to return to the covenant faithfulness which they had lost. Repentance is not merely a superfluous feeling of guilt. On the other hand, it is to build up a new sense of direction, which will be right and authentic. To believe also is not a mere intellectual appropriation of certain dogmas. On the other hand, it is believing in the person of Jesus and displaying the in-depth commitment towards Him and His kingdom. The later texts of Mark's gospel try to explain the true magnitude of that commitment.
Point to ponder:
Do we believe that repentance is more than mere feelings of guilt?
Prayer:
Pray for disciples who want to take their faith more seriously in their daily walks of life.
1. It is stated that Jesus went to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God after John was put in prison. The mission of John who was the herald and pioneer has come to a close. The real hero has entered the stage. The reason for John's arrest and imprisonment has been stated in John 6:12-18. John had criticised the unlawful marriage of King Herod to Herodias, the wife of Philip, his brother. When John had preached in the wilderness, Jesus preached in populated areas of Galilee, which also was the ruling territory of Herod Antipas. What Jesus did was the continuation of the preaching of John the Baptist. The same message of the nearness of the kingdom was proclaimed by both. If John's message had been shocking to the rulers and authorities, the same impact was felt by the message of Jesus also.
2. Jesus preached the message of the kingdom of God. The concept of the kingdom meant the rule of God. The rule of God is eternal. At the same time, it has to be acknowledged by many in their lives. So it is to be expected with hope. The proclamation that the time has come means that the time of fulfilment has already begun. The Kingdom of God is not an abstract reality. It is bright and visible in the person of Jesus. It is by responding to him that one can enter the kingdom. By being in him and growing in him, the kingdom also will grow in individuals and society.
3. Two basic emphases were there in the preaching of Jesus. They were to repent and to believe. These two things are the basic ingredients of discipleship. (Acts. 20:21) The prophets were continuously exhorting the people to return to the covenant faithfulness which they had lost. Repentance is not merely a superfluous feeling of guilt. On the other hand, it is to build up a new sense of direction, which will be right and authentic. To believe also is not a mere intellectual appropriation of certain dogmas. On the other hand, it is believing in the person of Jesus and displaying the in-depth commitment towards Him and His kingdom. The later texts of Mark's gospel try to explain the true magnitude of that commitment.
Point to ponder:
Do we believe that repentance is more than mere feelings of guilt?
Prayer:
Pray for disciples who want to take their faith more seriously in their daily walks of life.
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