I've started reading through the gospel of Mark, since we're going to be studying it in our Bible study beginning this fall. And boy, what a gospel particularly geared to our constantly connected and wired, our ever moving and restless culture. Why? Because Mark simply blasts off from the very first chapter! It's action, action, action. No prologue, no introduction. Nope, it's as if Mark knows the glorious news of Jesus Christ is simply too wonderful, too astounding, too earth shattering to wait for even a moment. So from the very first verse, Mark launches into the gospel of Jesus Christ--and at a breakneck pace.
In the first chapter alone, you find the word "immediately" at least 9 times (and that doesn't include the phrase "at once" which is used as well). For instance, Jesus is baptized...and "immediately" the Spirit drives Him out into the wilderness. He calls His first disciples...and "immediately" they left their nets and followed Him. Jesus enters a synagogue in Capernaum...and "immediately" meets a demon possessed man, whom He heals. It's just boom, boom, boom...one action and miracle after another. If the book of Mark can't hold your attention, well then, I doubt even an gigantic dose of ADD medication could help you!
But how thankful I am for Mark's clear portrait of the Lord Jesus--the Savior who served...and the Servant who saved. He is the King with supreme power over sickness and sin, but also the Servant who says, He "came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mk 10:45)
And this portrait of a Savior who serves and Servant who saves demands a response. How can we read about who Jesus is and what He did and not respond? Forgive us, Father, for how often our response to Jesus is "ho hum." Our worship half-hearted. Our obedience hit or miss. Our love lukewarm. No, no, no!
If He is the sovereign King, Creator, Redeemer, and Savior--and He is--then like those disciples in Mark, chapter 1, when Jesus calls, we should--we must--follow. And follow "immediately," wholeheartedly, and joyfully! Goodness, this convicted me to my toes! Shallow me who is so often distracted, preoccupied, impatient, and half-hearted in my love for and obedience to my King. May it never be, Lord!
Here's what N.T. Wright says: "How can you live with the terrifying thought that the hurricane has become human, that fire has become flesh, that life itself became life and walked in our midst? Christianity either means that, or it means nothing. It is either the most devastating disclosure of the deepest reality of the world, or it is a sham, a nonsense, a bit of deceitful playacting. Most of us, unable to cope with saying either of those things, condemn ourselves to live in the shallow world in between."
And Tim Keller responds: "I believe you'll see that in the end, you can't simply like anybody who makes claims like those of Jesus. Either He's a wicked liar or a crazy person and you should have nothing to do with Him, or He is who He says He is and your whole life has to revolve around Him and you have to throw everything at His feet and say 'Command me.' Or do you live in that misty 'world in between' that Wright says no one can live in with integrity? Do you pray to Jesus when you're in trouble, and otherwise mostly ignore Him because you get busy? Either Jesus can't hear you because He's not who he says He is-or if He is who He says He is, He must become the still point of your turning world, the center around which your entire life revolves."
That's the bottom line in all of life for all of humanity, isn't it? Might we see and recognize Jesus this day for Who He truly is--the King of Kings and Lord of Lords--and then fall at His feet, saying "Command me." He is infinitely worthy and gloriously wonderful.
To God be the glory.
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