THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
MARK 1:14-15
MARK 1:14-15 NKJV
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
OBSERVATION:
For all of us who lean toward that bottom line type A personality, Mark's gospel is the one for you. Short, sweet, and to the point.
In all seriousness, I appreciate the perspective of all four gospel narratives. Mark's gospel is historically considered to be the perspective of Peter.
Mark is a great story in his own right. He went with Paul and Barnabus on their very first missionary journey. He then left the team early in the trip. This bothered Paul to the point that he and Barnabus split the team before their second missionary venture. Paul refused to take Mark, and it caused such a dispute that Paul took Silas and Barnabus took Mark and they went in different directions.
But here's the great redemptive part of Markās story. Mark would go on to write an important gospel. And toward the end of his life, Paul called for Mark, deeming him useful for ministry. It's not how you start; it's how you finish.
In our verses for today, we see a simple message from Jesus. He went proclaiming the gospel, or good news, of God's kingdom.
God's kingdom is not a kingdom of gloom or doom but of good news. In a dark world, God's kingdom brings light. In a sad world, God's kingdom has joy. God's kingdom is the hope for all of mankind.
Repent and believe the good news. Jesus' message was repent and believe. Repent means to change. And where repentance involves the Lord, it involves a change of heart.
Believe the gospel is the other part of Jesus' message. The gospel is life changing good news to those who believe. Paul would later call the gospel the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes.
APPLICATION:
Repent and believe have been big parts of my walk with the Lord.
Repentance involves heart examination and change. We don't ever outgrow this. Change is part of our past, present, and future.
Believe. All things are possible to the one that believes. Our lives with the Lord are a walk of faith, of believing His words to us.
It's a wonderful kingdom, so we live to repent and believe.