Читать книгу With My Eyes On Jesus - Dale Goldsmith - Страница 11

Mark 1:14–15: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Context: Mark’s gospel plunges immediately into Jesus’ ministry with this brief summary.

Meditation: The Urban Dictionary defines “To die for” as “something I want very much . . . [or] take risks to get.” Doesn’t the kingdom of God—that time when we live harmoniously in the loving and mutually supportive rule of God—sound like something we would want very much? With the prospect of such a dream coming true, even “Repent!” doesn’t sound so scary. (Maybe not scary, but not so easy either. When we realize that it is a call to turn from what we now focus on toward a new existence in accord with God’s wishes it becomes seriously and complexly challenging.)

The Free Dictionary defines “To die for” as “worth dying for.” Now that is sobering. We have already read of two attempts by others to kill Jesus and the successful effort to get rid of Jesus’ predecessor, John. Can this develop into a story of which we want to be a part? Is that promised kingdom compelling enough “to die for”? (Spoiler alert: We already know that dying will be the fate of Jesus if he is to complete his mission.) Can this kingdom story be the main foundation for our own story, our own living and dying? Can we respond to Jesus’ “to die for” story by repenting our current life and committing to live for and in the story Jesus brings to life?

There are things about Jesus’ story that sound more like down-and-dirty politics and social prejudice than a divine plan. It sounds horrible so far. Can Jesus tough it out? Will I be ready to live and commit my dying to Jesus and include myself in his story?

Prayer: Help me to see more clearly and love more dearly Jesus’ mission. Amen.

Today: Work on “repent”: taking one thing at a time—even if only a small one. Beginning now.