What Jesus Did! 'The Near Kingdom' — Mark 1:14-15

Friday, January 12, 2024

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News. "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
— Mark 1:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

Mark wanted us to see that Jesus' baptism by John, Jesus' temptations in the wilderness, and John's arrest led to the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Jesus went to Galilee, the place of ministry in Mark's Gospel. He began to preach "God's Good News" about the nearness of God's Kingdom. This nearness of the Kingdom and this presentation of Good News mean people must respond by turning away from their sins. God's will must reign in our hearts if we are to receive this Kingdom. God's Good News must call us from our sin if we are to experience the power of this Kingdom in our own lives. So the question comes to you and to me: Have I welcomed the Good News and turned from my sins?

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, God of mercy and grace, I believe that your Son has brought me your Good News. I believe you want to have the power of your Kingdom reign in my heart and be seen in the fruit of righteousness produced in my life. I gladly offer you my heart, soul, strength, and mind to show you my love for you and for others and show you my desire to honor you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 8:4-8, 12
  • Galatians 5:16-23
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:12

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

C2K - View from the Top
Article by Phil Ware
What happened with the talk about the Kingdom of God? Phil Ware talks about climbing to the top of a mountain and seeing all the beauty that he never realized was there and uses this metaphor to talk about the difference between church and kingdom.
Think Differently
Article by Tom Norvell
Is your thinking stuck in a rut? Tom Norvell reflects on Apple founder Steve Job's retirement and reminds us to think differently.
Coming to Terms with Change
Article by Rubel Shelly
Don't like change? Here's something worse and something better! Rubel Shelly talks about change and our need for it or we grow obsolete and irrelevant.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:14-15 NLT — "The time promised by God has come at last!" —— "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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