Daily Devotions
Mark
Day 24
Text: Mark 1 "You rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:8c
THE THRILLING ESSENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Mark carefully preserved the essence of the message that Jesus proclaimed.
“The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”MARK 1:15
Four things must receive careful attention:-
1. “The time is fulfilled”.
a) A more accurate translation would be “The time has been fulfilled” (The perfect tense is used here)
Mark must have been referring to various prophecies concerning the Messiah. All the requirements of the prophecies had been fulfilled.
b) In typically Marcan style, he says much but he uses the barest minimum of words.
2. “The kingdom of God is at hand”
a) Again, we need to translate this so the reading may be more accurate. It may be translated as “The kingdom has drawn near”.
b) There is a verbal sense here that actually describes the Kingdom of God on the move, drawing nearer to man!
3. “Repent”
a) A response is required.
b) This response is one of “repentance”.
i) This word suggests a right about turn of heart and mind.
ii) It also involves being truly sorrowful about sins committed.
iii) There must be a forsaking of sins.
iv) There must be fruit of repentance.
4. “Believe in the Gospel”
There must be an exercise of faith in response to the good news that Jesus was preaching. What a thrilling message Jesus proclaimed! The heart must feel compelled to believe.