Thursday, February 15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" 

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. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him.

‭‭(Mark‬ ‭1:15-18‬)

The Gospel of Mark features a fast-paced tour through Jesus's ministry.  It starts quickly and appears to race ahead.

As Jesus sets out on His ministry, we see that the Kingdom lies at the center of His thought and that He would center His ministry on building leaders who, in turn, would reach others.  Having been transformed into Kingdom workers, Jesus's followers could sustain and expand the Gospel movement to great effect.

Further, we witness the centrality of the Spirit in His anointed status as God's chosen Servant (Isaiah 42).  The Spirit lighted upon Him and stood with Him during His confronting demons in the desert.  He fully relied on the Word of God as His source of truth.

Not surpisingly, Jesus wishes to develop these characteristics in His disciples today.  The Church will flourish or stumble ultimately based on her commitment to these Kingdom principles and our transformation underneath them.

Do you wish to become a fisher of people?  What else about Jesus's Kingdom ministry do you wish to emulate?

Lord God, thank You for the Kingdom heartbeat behind Jesus's ministry.  Help us to live in step with His example, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus's Name, amen.