I keep trying desperately to get back to normal and I know it will come soon, but I am still in the middle of getting my internet provider to do what they are supposed to do to get me online, I have stacks of papers I need to go through. Trying to get back to my exercise routine. However, I have just unpacked my books after 11 months and I found some great resources for my blog.
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.
I just unpacked my Phillip Yancey book called "Meet the Bible" He notes that Mark is written like a newspaper with headlines and giving you just the facts. He also notes several things about Jesus' ministry as opposed to John's. John was a typical prophet with the message of judgement, dressing weird and eating strange insects which clarified him as a prophet, but what is interesting is that Jesus was totally different, clarifying him not just another prophet. Jesus ate with people, talked to people, healed the sick, raised the dead, and as stated in verse 14, brought the good news of God to them.
One of my favorite characteristics of Jesus is that he ate with sinners. I, ashamed to say, don't usually want to hang out with people different than me with different view points than me, I like to be with people who agree with me, laugh at my unfunny jokes, and believe like me. I especially don't like confrontation so its a natural response from me to want to avoid people who are opposed to Christ or my Christian walk. But Jesus loved sinners, ate with normal everyday people. He called normal everyday fisherman to be his disciples. But unlike the religious leaders of the time, the fishermen "left their father in the boat," "Jumped ship" so to speak, to follow Jesus. May I always strive to "jump any religious ship" to follow and know relationship with Jesus Christ.
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