Evangelist portrait of Mark from Garima 2, likely the earlier of the two Garima Gospels - Ethiopia, circa 500 C.E.
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."Hear the voice of Jesus calling across the ages, bursting onto the scene of our darkest despair. See Him walking, calling, crying out with hope and interrupting our descent into defeat. Hear Him! See Him. Follow Him.The time is now.
The time is now! Now!
Now!
It is fulfilled.
The Kingdom is near.
The Kingdom is here.
Look! Here is the King.
He is dressed like a prophet.
He moves like a servant.
He speaks as a teacher.
He touches as a healer.
He delivers as a Savior.
He walks as a man.
The Kingdom has arrived.
Stop believing bad news.
Turn.
Repent.
Start believing good news.
The Kingdom has arrived.
The Kingdom is at hand.
Come and follow.
Come and see.
Come and fish for people.
Come along and walk with me.
Come! Repent. Turn.
Turn away from the bondage that clings to you.
Turn from stinking thinking that's got you sinking.
Hear the voice of One who sets you free.
Hear the voice of the good news that silences the demons.
Authoritative words:
You can turn.
Here is the grace.
Here is the permission.
Here is the invitation.
Here is the power.
Here is the King.
It is a new day, a new government,
A new deal.
Here is your King!
==============
The message of repentance is good news, not so much, "you must," as "you can." Yes, we must, but we never knew we could. The bad news is all around us. The divine interruption is the message of good news. You are not stuck. You are not hopeless. A new King is here to take you by the hand, heal your broken heart, and deliver you from malevolent possession.
==============
Mark 1:14-28 (NRSV)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."As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people."And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God."But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Repent and believe the good news.
The time is now.
The Kingdom has arrived.
