Mark 1:15
Sà”The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
HàWith Mark’s gospel, Jesus just comes rushing onto the scene, is baptized, heads to the wilderness and comes back with this message that sets the stage for the rest of the Gospel…repent and believe the Good News. This is the message of God’s promise. To believe/receive this message one must acknowledge their current situation and this repentance makes room to hear, believe, and accept the Good News, namely, that we who were once far from God (first part of Zeph. 3 text) are now invited to be joined with God; we are invited back home to the promised land (2nd part of Zeph. 3 text). This promised time of restoration is here….free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last.
AàIt is such a good reminder for me today that repentance and believing go hand in hand. The more I live a lifestyle of repentance (acknowledging those places of brokenness in my life) the more I am able to believe the Good News that through Jesus Christ I have been brought into the presence of God. I, who was once far from God, am now a beloved child of God with a purpose and responsibility in the Kingdom of God. Could there be any other news any greater then this news?
PàLord, I pray you would help me today to live a life of repentance and that you would fall fresh upon me and I would be excited about your Good News as if I heard it for the first time. Use me today Lord to be an instrument of this Good News; may my life be a testimony that the time God has promised has come at last through Jesus Christ. Amen.
EàThe promised time is here; my sins are forgiven; and I believe in this Good News!
chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com
