Sermon Talkback—January 25, 2009
Mark 1:14-20
Reflections on the Inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama—Are you more hopeful? What makes this new president different from others? What do you expect in the coming weeks, months and years?
Beginning of a New Ministry
Mark’s gospel begins with God’s word in Isaiah as an introduction to John the Baptist and we can imagine that the “gospel of Jesus Christ” has been a long time in the making. By Mark 1:14, we are prepared to understand the main character of this gospel, Jesus himself.
When—Jesus’ ministry starts “after John was arrested” (1:14). John’s arrest foreshadows those who follow Jesus. Judas’ betrayal leads to Jesus’ arrest. Jesus’ followers will be “handed over” to the authorities in the future (13:9, 11, 12). Therefore, arrest or betrayal is something that unites those who prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom. In vs. 15, Jesus proclaims “the time is fulfilled” meaning that salvation history begins and the Kingdom of God is “coming near.”
Where—Mark describes Jesus as coming “from Nazareth to Galilee,” in verse 9, so here in verse 14, the preaching is taking place in Galilee. Galilee becomes the “home” for Jesus and his disciples.
What—Mark describes what the purpose of Jesus’ ministry or what he will do. Reminiscent of John’s proclamation, Jesus calls others to repent and believe in the gospel. This gospel, or “good news,” has been attributed to God (1:14) and to Jesus (1:1). In addition, Jesus calls disciples (Simon, Andrew, James and John) in the midst of their current jobs as fishermen to perform more important work—fish for people. Jesus claims that he has come “to call not the righteous but sinners (2:17), and he often calls disciples to him for particular teaching, or he summons the crowds to him for similar announcements. Discipleship is not easy but fraught with difficulty on many sides.
Who—While the prologue has already given Jesus his introdution with his baptism, it is in this passage that Jesus becomes the main actor in the narrative. Previously, John, God (as a voice from heaven), and the Spirit had maintained that role (1:9, 11, 12). With Jesus as the central figure, Mark moves to introduce these four called disciples: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John. These disciples are given private privileged opportunities to see the Son of Man (13:3, 24-27, 32-36). While this privacy is surely part of mark’s broader theology about how God is working in secret to produce an incredible harvest (4:3-8, 26-29), such secretive actions consistently single out these disciples as the ones who are to be the most responsible for God’s revelation of the kingdom through Jesus. Unfortunately, they are also the ones who fail most spectacularly. James and John ask Jesus for a seat on his right and left (10:35-37) in the eschaton. Finally, Simon Peter is certainly one of the closest to Jesus, but also puts him at significant risk for failing (14:29, 54-72), even if he is redeemed at the end (16:7).
Why—The question of why Jesus came, lived, and died among us is the most important of all and will be answered as we move into Lent and toward the passion of Christ.
Question for Discussion
How is Christ calling you to respond to his invitation to serve him today?