And immediately he called them…” (Mark 1:20 ESV).
“And immediately” (Greek: “καὶ εὐθέως, kai eutheós”) is a recurring phrase throughout the gospel of Mark. The phrase moves the story along with an intensity unique among the gospels.
Each gospel reveals a different aspect of Christ:
– Matthew reveals Christ as King (Lion).
– Mark reveals Christ as Servant (Ox).
– Luke reveals Christ as Son of Man (Man).
– John reveals Christ as Son of God (Eagle).
The four images of the lion, ox, man, and eagle are symbolically taken from the four Israelite tribal banners that marked their encampment and also the order in which the moved out:
– Judah (Lion banner) – East encampment – Moved out first.
– Ephraim (Ox banner) – West encampment – Moved second.
– Reuben (Man banner) – South encampment – Moved third.
– Dan (Eagle banner) – North encampment – Moved last.
When encamped these four tribal banners marked the four points on a compass, laid out like a cross with the Tabernacle in the middle (Num. 2). These same four images appear again in the book of Revelation, where the four living creatures in heaven have the same four faces (Rev. 4).
The gospel of Mark was written in the present tense, revealing Jesus as a man of action, doing everything “immediately.” If the gospels were presented in movie form, the gospel of Mark would be an action film!
When Jesus saw the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John, as He walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He immediately called them. “And immediately,” they left everything and followed Him. He made them men of action too.
PRAYER: Dear Father, make us people of urgency and action just as our Lord Jesus. Strengthen us to obey and act immediately. In Jesus’ name, amen.