Are you ready to take the next step in your faith journey? In Mark 1:14-20, we see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth and the call of his first disciples. This passage offers an invitation to join Jesus in his ministry and experience the power of the kingdom of God.
The Good News of the Kingdom
In verse 14, Jesus starts his ministry by preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. He says, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” The kingdom of God is not something that’s far off in the future, but it’s here and now. And the only way to enter into this kingdom is to repent, which means to turn away from our sins, and believe in the good news of the gospel.
The Call to Follow Jesus
In verses 16-17 and 19, we see that Jesus enlists ordinary people to follow him. He calls Simon, James, and John, who were fishermen, to be his disciples. And he calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be his disciple. These guys aren’t who you would expect to be used as the core team of Jesus’ ministry. But Jesus isn’t looking for the most qualified or the most religious people to follow him. He’s looking for people who are willing to leave everything behind and follow him.
The Cost of Following Jesus
Following Jesus means surrendering to his rule in our lives. It means that we give up our own plans and agendas and submit to his will. In verse 18, we see that Simon, James, and John “left their nets” and followed Jesus. And in verse 20, we see that Matthew “got up and followed” Jesus. These men didn’t just give Jesus a portion of their lives, they gave him everything. They left their jobs, their families, and their old way of life behind to follow Jesus.
The Rewards of Following Jesus
So, what’s in it for us when we follow Jesus? We get to experience the power and the joy of the kingdom of God. We get to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We get to join Jesus on his mission to bring the good news of the kingdom of God to the world. And most importantly, we get to have a personal relationship with the one who created us and loves us.
Conclusion
In summary, Mark 1:14-20 is an invitation from Jesus to enter into the kingdom of God by repenting and believing in the good news. Jesus calls ordinary people to follow him, and this call involves leaving behind everything else to fully follow him. It’s an invitation to join him in his mission, to bring the good news of the kingdom of God to the world. If you’re feeling like something is missing in your life, consider answering Jesus’ call and joining him in his ministry.
