First Words - David H. Lauten
First words are significant. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” and “Call Me Ishmael” are among renowned opening lines in literature.
The gospel writer, Mark, records the firstwords of Jesus’ ministry as he came into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”(Mark 1:14-15).
Like Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Citiesand Herman Melville in Moby Dick, the gospel writer captures much about the Redeemer and his mission. He also outlines what is significant for the church today.
As Mark begins with Jesus’ ministry of the Word, he spells out that his message is one of good news. Mark has just referenced(1:3) the proclamation of the Messiah to come which dispels spiritual darkness (Isaiah 40). The Old Testament promised a day in which God would personally reign over his people. The people of God longed for this day of the consolation of Israel. Jesus explains that the message which Isaiah had prophesied was being fulfilled: “the kingdom of God is at hand” (1:15).Jesus is saying the reign of the promised King has arrived in himself.
The beloved Son in his baptism was installed as king in his Kingdom (1:9-11). Like God’s people of old, he was tempted in the wilderness; yet he was without sin(1:12-13). He came to forgive us from sin and to cleanse us from unrighteousness. This is the best news ever!
The royal word of a king demands a response: “if the kingdom of God has come near, and the King himself is already present, life must change…loyalty to the King must be the order of the day” (Sinclair Ferguson). Jesus instructs us how we are to respond to such a great and majestic king. Old attitudes and habits toward God must be changed. The good news of the gospel is that we can be changed; he can deliver us from disinterest in God and the disregard of his will to a living relation with the Sovereign King.
It begins as we hear the royal gospel summons of the King’s heralds: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’” (1:3). We do so, as we follow Jesus’ first words in Mark’s gospel, “repent and believe in the gospel” (1:15). In the power of our Risen King, we turn away from a sinful lifestyle and instead look to God. Repentance, while necessary, is never sufficient. It is to be accompanied with a living faith. It is as we embrace the good news of the King and trust in him as our only Sovereign, that we are united to Christ and receive the benefits of forgiveness in his name and kingdom power.
Instead of building our own kingdoms, those related to the King jettison efforts to rule their own lives and order their lives to bring pleasure to the Royal King! This leads to kingdom service.
In his gospel, Mark shares ensuing stores to demonstrate the gracious and majestic reign of God through Jesus Christ. We see the King in action subduing the forces of darkness and restoring lives to God’s original purposes. The many good works of the kingdom are never divorced from the message of the kingdom summarized in Jesus’ first words.
Likewise, as we serve our great Savior, his first words are to be pronounced in all we do. They are to become our first words in gospel ministry. They are to cast a long shadow on all we say and do for the kingdom. Every good deed in the King’s name is to be directly connected to the gospel of his Kingdom.
As we stand up for life, feed the hungry,and promote biblical justice, may we in all things advance Jesus’ first words: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”