From: February 15, 2025
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.
From: February 15, 2024
‘And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him’ (Mark 1:17-18 ESV).
As Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw the brothers Simon Peter and Andrew casting their nets, for they were fishermen. He called to them, inviting them to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Jesus still calls people to follow Him. His call is not to a religion, but to a relationship. His call is not to a philosophy, but to a person. The call of Christ is to Himself. “Come, follow Me” is His invitation.
There is no other invitation like it. For the one who answers the call to become a Christ-follower will not only receive eternal life, they will begin to experience the abundant life, full and overflowing. For following Jesus is life’s greatest and most fulfilling adventure.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful to be followers of Your Son, Jesus. For He is life to us. Strengthen us this day to follow Him in all things. Help us to be a blessing to others as we answer His call to tell others of Your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 15, 2023
“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!” (Mark 1:15 NKJV).
In the gospel of Mark, he reported that Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee. He came preaching a message of fulfillment, God’s kingdom, repentance and faith in the good news.
Of fulfillment, because the time promised by God had come at last. The long awaited Messiah, Jesus, had finally come. As Paul wrote, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4).
Of God’s kingdom, because the coming of Jesus the Messiah meant that the kingdom of God was at hand. In other words, close enough to touch. Already here, but not yet. Why not yet? Because the King first had to die on a cross, be buried, and raised to defeat sin, death and the grave. Then, King Jesus would declare His authority over all things (Matt. 28:18). But even in this, its fulfillment would be delayed to allow His followers to be sent out as His ambassadors, carrying His good news to all the nations of the world, making disciples of King Jesus. So, the kingdom is ever-expanding, yet not quite complete. For its completion awaits the soon return of King Jesus.
Of repentance, because following King Jesus means admitting our sinful rebellion and surrendering to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And of faith in the gospel, because it is by believing the good news that we are saved and made citizens of God’s kingdom. As Paul explained, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). What is this “wonderful message?” It is the gospel.
So, how near is the kingdom of God? It’s near enough to touch. How do we become citizens of God’s Kingdom? Repent and believe. For this kingdom is not of this world.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is by repenting and believing the gospel that we have become citizens of heaven and children of God. Now strengthen us to be ambassadors for Your Son, telling the whole world the good news. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 15, 2016
Jesus became famous in the region of Galilee for his miracles and authoritative teaching. He made Capernaum His center of operations when He first began His ministry. This was a strategic location. Located at the Northern end of the Sea of Galilee, it was a major crossroads with the Via Maris (“Way of the Sea”) passing through it and the King’s Highway intersecting just North, connecting Cairo to Damascus and beyond. Here, Jesus called His first disciples and began to teach, “Repent of your sin and believe the Good News!” Great crowds of people began to travel to the area to see and hear Jesus. This is our calling today. We want to make Jesus famous, not ourselves. We want “his fame” to spread “everywhere.”
From: February 15, 2015
Jesus made Capernaum His center of operations when He first began His ministry. Located at the Northern end of the Sea of Galilee, it was a major crossroads with the Via Maris (“Way of the Sea”) passing through it and the King’s Highway intersecting just North, connecting Cairo to Damascus and beyond. Here, Jesus called His first disciples and began to teach, “Repent of your sin and believe the Good News!” Great crowds of people began to travel to the area to see and hear Jesus. This is our calling today, to pray and declare the Good News, so that the “news about Jesus” spreads quickly throughout our world.
From: February 15, 2014
John the Baptist was God’s appointed Messianic forerunner, coming in the spirit of Elijah, announcing the coming of the Christ. John’s birth was surrounded by miraculous events: an angel’s announcement, a priestly father’s doubting muteness, a barren mother’s pregnancy, an unborn baby leaping with the Spirit’s joy. John was larger than life. Jesus called him the greatest ever born of woman. Yet, John knew his role. He was merely the herald of the coming King. He was a servant of the One who would baptize us not with water, but with the Holy Spirit.