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January 30, 2008
Scripture: Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
Thought for the Day:
On numerous occasions, the word 'immediately' is found in the Gospel of Mark. Mark, the earliest of
the Gospels, does not have the same developed narrative as found in Matthew and Luke. Mark tells
stories of Jesus, but does not tie them together well as the other authors. Mark will finish one story
and then tie it to the next story with the short phrase, "Jesus immediately went..." With this lack of
verbal linkage, a strange sense of urgency is created within the Gospel of Mark. Jesus and his
followers are always on the move, responding quickly to needs, being flexible to their immediate
circumstances, and never allowing the powers of slothfulness or
apathy to get in their way. Martin Luther King, Jr. once spoke of the fierce urgency of now. Too
many churches have lost their sense of necessity and urgency, and without these motivating factors,
it is easy to become complacent in regard to mission. As Jesus began his ministry, he
announced that the time had been fulfilled, the reign of God was being made manifest, and it was
time to do something about it. As individuals and as a faith community, we need to hear those words
as if Jesus were saying them for the first time to us this very moment. If we do so, I believe it will
create within us a fierce urgency of the now.
Prayer:
As I pray, Lord, make me aware of what you are doing today. Reveal to me how your reign of
transformative grace is bursting into this moment of time. Create within me a faithful fervor to
contribute my life in the unfolding of your loving community here on earth. Amen.
As part of First Christian Church's discernment process, I am
sending out a daily devotional like the one you find above. If
you would like to be included, please email me...
pastofrogge@yahoo.com
Scripture: Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
Thought for the Day:
On numerous occasions, the word 'immediately' is found in the Gospel of Mark. Mark, the earliest of
the Gospels, does not have the same developed narrative as found in Matthew and Luke. Mark tells
stories of Jesus, but does not tie them together well as the other authors. Mark will finish one story
and then tie it to the next story with the short phrase, "Jesus immediately went..." With this lack of
verbal linkage, a strange sense of urgency is created within the Gospel of Mark. Jesus and his
followers are always on the move, responding quickly to needs, being flexible to their immediate
circumstances, and never allowing the powers of slothfulness or
apathy to get in their way. Martin Luther King, Jr. once spoke of the fierce urgency of now. Too
many churches have lost their sense of necessity and urgency, and without these motivating factors,
it is easy to become complacent in regard to mission. As Jesus began his ministry, he
announced that the time had been fulfilled, the reign of God was being made manifest, and it was
time to do something about it. As individuals and as a faith community, we need to hear those words
as if Jesus were saying them for the first time to us this very moment. If we do so, I believe it will
create within us a fierce urgency of the now.
Prayer:
As I pray, Lord, make me aware of what you are doing today. Reveal to me how your reign of
transformative grace is bursting into this moment of time. Create within me a faithful fervor to
contribute my life in the unfolding of your loving community here on earth. Amen.
As part of First Christian Church's discernment process, I am
sending out a daily devotional like the one you find above. If
you would like to be included, please email me...
pastofrogge@yahoo.com