The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark is quite eventful. It moves quickly through John’s preparation for the ministry of Jesus, Jesus’ baptism, His temptation, the healing miracles, and the calling of the Disciples.
A couple of things really stick out to me about these passages. The first is that when Jesus spoke, people listened and responded. Here are some questions that come to my mind:
- I wonder why the Disciples respond so immediately to the call to follow Him. Yes, they might have heard about Jesus but did they really know Him?
- Did they have any reason to trust that they were making the correct decision to give up their jobs and leave their families behind?
- Did they know what they would gain by their instant obedience?
- Would you and I have been so quick to follow the call of someone that wasn’t already a trusted and proven friend?
I think it is safe to assume the answer to all of those questions would be an emphatic NO! I do think that it must have been evident that He was different than other men. Why else would he illicit such responses?
The other thing that really hit me was at the end of the chapter when Jesus healed the leper. After Jesus had healed him, He instructed him not to tell anyone. The leper could not keep that to himself – he told anyone that would listen that Jesus had miraculously healed him! Jesus has done innumerable things for us but do we share that with anyone? Do we respond to His goodness in a way that we can not contain it inside or do we just take it all for granted? Do we remain silent when we have every reason to shout from the rooftops? Are we too prideful to admit that God is the reason behind any abilities we have or success that we experience? Are we so scared to acknowledge to those around us that Jesus is the Lord of our life?
This week, let’s choose to respond to Jesus in the way that the Disciples and the leper responded. Let’s begin by following Him immediately as He leads us. Maybe it is inviting someone to youth group or simply responding to a situation in a Christlike manner. And let’s take a good look at our lives and respond accordingly to what God has done in our lives and TELL someone about it!
Here is your chance to respond immediately….comment here with some things that God has done for you!
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