READING: Leviticus 23-24, Mark 1:1-22
“You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!”
Mark 1:11
The Gospel of Mark wastes no time in getting to its topic. In what is likely the title of the book, Mark 1:1 provides the subject, the theme, and the goal of this book: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This book is the good news of Jesus, who wasn’t just anybody—He’s the Son of God. The writer noted that truth in verse 1, the Father echoed the truth in verse 11, and even a demon will affirm Jesus’ identity in verse 24 (tomorrow’s reading). This Jesus taught like nobody else had ever taught, for He taught with authority as the Son of God. Like John the Baptist, we can say only that we are not “worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals” (Mark 1:7).
The early disciples didn’t understand everything about this Jesus, but something about Him compelled them to follow Him. John had previously directed them to Him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and they had spent time with Him then. Now, sometime later, He demanded more than a conversation; He required them to leave their boats behind and follow Him. At least two of them left behind their father and his hired servants, which suggests they walked away from a thriving fishing business. Walk away immediately they did, though, to begin to “fish for people” (Mark 1: 17).
The rest of the book of Mark doesn’t always present the disciples in such a positive light, however. They argue among themselves. They don’t always listen to and understand Jesus’ teachings. They fail in ministry at times. They ask for the best seats in heaven. They forget His miracles, sometimes quickly after they happen. They will all promise their allegiance to Him, but then run when He is arrested.
They really weren’t worthy to untie His shoes – but He called them anyway. That’s part of the good news of Jesus, actually: He who is the Son of God graciously, mercifully, lovingly chooses to use people who are hardly worthy of His calling. People like you and me, that is.
ACTION STEPS:
- Meditate on this thought throughout the day: “Jesus, the Son of God, loves me.”
- If God is asking you to take a significant step of faith to follow Him, do so.
PRAYER: “Lord, Son of God, make me a fisher of men.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Leviticus 25, Mark 1:23-45
