ALL CHANGE!
Opening Prayer
Lord, Your Word is open before me. Help me by Your Spirit, to be open and willing for You to change me.
Read Mark 1:14–20
Jesus Announces the Good News
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
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Reflect
Ponder on Psalm 119:18 ‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.’I was excited when we picked up a rental car at the airport because we had been upgraded from a basic Ford to a classy BMW convertible – but then reality sank in. I had to drive through narrow streets while remembering to stay on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. Complying with different rules takes a lot of care. For many years people had been longing for God’s kingdom to come, for His rule to begin on earth. Now, when Jesus announces that this change of ‘government’ is near, He challenges people to live according to new rules.
We often think of repentance as just saying ‘sorry’, but the Greek word used – metanoia – implies a change of mind. The arrival of God’s kingdom calls for a new way of thinking, and changed thinking leads to changed living. Paul would later challenge us to ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12:2).
For Simon, Andrew, James, and John, meeting Jesus and responding to His call meant a new set of priorities. Learning to fish for people was more important than catching fish (17); and following Jesus was more important than staying in familiar surroundings (20). Over the next few days, Mark will show us ways in which Jesus challenged conventional wisdom, leading to new ways of living.
Apply
What changes might Jesus want you to make to your way of thinking? Commit to open your heart this week to accept any changes God wants to bring about in your life.
Closing prayer
Gracious God, I need to come to terms with time. Forgive me for when I have wasted time, marked time, or killed time. Help me to see time as a hallowed trust from You.
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