February 19, 2018 Monday

“It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:9-15 NKJV)

            Mark is full of immediates and coming to pass.  There is an energy and almost an emergency to Mark’s writing of what many believe is the first Gospel written for a rapidly growing and expanding Church.

            “It came to pass”.  This phrase is a reminder that the coming and ministry of Jesus is part of not only the flow of time but the flow of God’s redemption.  This phrase also reminds us that the work of Jesus was not just for over 2,000 years ago but is still being passed on by the Body of Jesus.

            If you take time to list the places Mark mentions we are taught that the ministry of Jesus not only happened in time but in a place.  God’s work of redemption happens in our time and place so as we preach the Kingdom of God we do so in our time and in our own place!

            What is our authority to say that Jesus is the Good News and that the Kingdom of God is at hand?  Mark shows us the authority of Jesus calling us to Baptism by being baptized and His authority comes from the recognition and calling of the Father.  Here we are shown the recognition and public declaration of the Father of Jesus.

We also are shown the shift from John the Baptizer to the ministry of Jesus fulfilling the declaration of John that Jesus would increase even as he would decrease.

            Are you willing to accept the authority of Jesus in your life?  Will you, like John, acknowledge that you must decrease so Jesus can increase?

            Today Bonnie and I went to pick up my new CPAP machine.  The people at Medical Necessities were very kind and helpful.  The machine has many new features which I hope will help me sleep better.  Bonnie is such a blessing!  The pain is growing so much since I have been doing more.  I pray the Lord will help me sleep!