Gtcotr/ss102223
Many imagine the Gospel of Mark was heavily influenced by the personal accounts of the Apostle Peter. Some scholars even suggest since there are so many seemingly first-hand experiences, that Peter may have dictated the Gospel to Mark over the course of their travels together. The Holy Spirit inspired words of Mark definitely paint a powerful picture of the earthly life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.
While Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, Luke with the well-researched birth of our Lord, and John starting at the beginning of time, Mark cuts straight to the 30-year-old Son of Almighty God preaching the truth, working miracles, and healing the sick. Sounds just like the Apostle Peter to me … straight to the point.
In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark we find Jesus
Mark 1 NKJV
14 ¶ Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
“The time is fulfilled.” Today someone might say: “What time?” However, in that day everyone who heard Jesus knew exactly what time He was talking about. It was time for the Messiah to appear. Time for Israel to see her King and be delivered from her enemies. Time for change …
Bible prophecy has much to say about time:
Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
There is a time for every purpose and every work and God has made everything beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:17 & 11)
When I was a boy, we lived on a small farm. Through the years we planted and harvested our own crops, raised and butchered our own animals to eat, my mama made biscuits and pies from scratch, we drew water from a well to drink, cook with, and clean, and I played in the fields, pasture lands, and forests surrounding our farm.
One thing we didn’t miss was supper time. Even though I thought the word supper meant pinto beans, fried potatoes, cornbread, and iced tea, I never missed it. No one else lived around us and it was fairly quiet around our place. But no matter what I was doing or how far away I was away from the house, and even without ever having a watch, I could tell when it was supper time.
I don’t know exactly how. I didn’t always see the dust from my daddy’s old pickup heading down the dirt road, or hear the door slam when he got home. Nor did my mama or sisters calling my name always reach me … but somehow, I knew … I just knew it was time.
I don’t ever remember missing supper. I did run in the house without stopping to wash my hands or wipe the dirt off my face a few times, but I never missed supper. All my life I have felt like there is a clock inside of me telling me what time it is. It is a bit mysterious, but it works.
Perhaps we all have a clock inside of us telling us it’s time. Or maybe you see signs of the times or you’re hearing people sent by God to tell you it’s time. However it is coming to you … take notice … you don’t want to be late for supper.
God has sent so many messengers to tell us what time it is. We might call them prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, apostles and angels on assignment. Finally, according to the parable about the tenant farmers in Matthew 21, when all else failed …
Galatians 4:4 In the fullness of the time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
The simple truth … it’s time. Time for what? Time for you to embrace the Savior and be delivered from the enemy of your soul. You imagine this life is torture; you imagine this life is pain; you imagine this life is hell? It’s not!
The evils of this world are but shadows of the hell that is to come. God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
But listen … nothing changes until something changes. Read the Bible and see the cycles sadness brought about by the sins and idolatries of people who worship the things of this world instead of worshipping the Creator of all things. Each time a nation, a family, or an individual repented and turned their lives over to Jehovah to worship Him and Him alone, God turned their captivity.
Even in the direst of situations, Almighty God heard the prayers of His people and delivered them from their enemies. He will do the same today.
Mark 1:15 shares the message of the hour. It shows Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah of the Jews and the Savior of the world pleading with us.
Mark 1:15 Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
The time is at hand; The due time; The set time; The appointed time of God. And the Holy Spirit is here this morning to tell you it’s time.
Turn to the Father God and embrace Jesus the Messiah.
Believe in the saving, healing, and delivering messageof the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It’s the only story God is telling and the only real hope we have.
