Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:14-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,
Verse 15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
Devotion
The call of Christ came first to four fishermen on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Responding by faith, they formed the nucleus of a small band of followers soon to enter a pagan world with a message of hope and reconciliation. We know the result. Through persecution, martyrdom and division, the church prospered and grew.
We inherit this church, with its humble beginnings and remarkable history. The inherently powerful call of Christ remains the same. Now it is issued through us – our words, our witness, our lives. We join in the treasured "priesthood of all believers." Yet we often retreat from its implications, failing to take Christ at his word when he says, "You shall be my witnesses."
The four fishermen didn't know the scope of Jesus’ call; we know more today. We know the cross and the resurrection. We have the New Testament scriptures. The call of Christ still holds its inherent power for salvation. We are the ones who issue that call of God in our day.
Prayer
Dear Christ, grant us courage to show our allegiance to you with a witness that extends your grace to all people. Amen.