Step 2

Mark 1:9-20 The Journey Begins

About Mark: Mark focuses on two things: who Jesus is, and what this means for his followers. The background of Jesus is covered by saying that he came from Nazareth. The other Gospels give much more space to his origins. Mark is content to show that Jesus endorsed John's baptism, by submitting to it himself. But then he records Jesus' own endorsement by God, both in the appearance of the dove and the voice from heaven. These words indicate the ultimate origin of Jesus. He is the Son of God. His appearance announces the presence of God's kingdom. Mark will now demonstrate what that means for us.

Bible: Mark 1:9-20, The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

The Temptation of Jesus 

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." 

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 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. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Comment: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The beginnings of two journeys are recorded. The first is the journey of Jesus the Messiah. Mark conveys a sense of immediate action to his story by the frequent use of "immediately" (1:12, 18, 20, etc). But another feature of his story will be an emphasis on retreat to the desert for the contemplation and resolution of personal challenges that Jesus must face. So the first phase in

the Spirit-driven ministry of Jesus occurs in the wilderness. 

Jesus encounters the challenges of Satan's opposing temptations. Any steps of any journey involving God is likely to come face to face with a test of our motivations. Mark's style and use of "immediately" conveys a sense of pace and urgency, which is then put into the perspective of a prolonged period of testing away from the rush and bustle. We too live in an "instant" world. But clarifying our priorities and motivations is the most urgent thing of all. For Jesus it occupied 40 days. 

The good news proclaimed

As John the Baptist's ministry closes (14), the ministry of Jesus begins. Mark summarizes the message of Jesus in words that set the theme for the entire account, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the good news!" Mark will show through to 2:17 a range of different ways in which the arrival of the kingdom of God brings good news to different people. If the king is here, we are bound to review the nature of our allegiance to him. Are we ready to rethink and receive the good news he brings?

A disciple's journey

Early Church documents say that Mark wrote what Peter spoke. The apostles are examples of what a Christian is. To repent and believe the gospel means to follow Jesus as they did. Mark mentions five apostles (including Levi in Mk.2:13ff) who all followed Jesus! This turning point in their lives is highlighted by noting what "they left ..." (18, 20). We would be too literal to interpret this as cutting all ties. Family and friends are important to Jesus, as we see throughout this Gospel.

Discipleship today: Putting this in today’s setting, the Christian gospel indicates from the beginning that it will confront us with a challenge. It presents Jesus in a manner which will require a response. If he is the king he claims to be, then the appropriate response to him will be trust and allegiance. As you investigate the journey, do so in the knowledge that your own attitudes will eventually be challenged. The kingdom is truly presented as "good news", as followers have universally found it to be. But the decision to leave old commitments to follow Jesus, seen in the decisions of Peter and the others here, show what a radical step can sometimes be involved.