The kingdom is close at hand

 

“LORD, THAT I MAY SEE”

A SHORT COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY.

Gospel

Mark 1:14-20

I will make you into fishers of men

1.     After John had been arrested,

2.     Jesus went into Galilee.

3.     There he proclaimed the Good News from God.

4.     ‘The time has come’ he said ‘

5.     and the kingdom of God is close at hand.

6.     Repent, and believe the Good News.’

7.     As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee

8.     he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen.

9.     And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’

10. And at once they left their nets and followed him.

11. Going on a little further,

12. he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets.

13. He called them at once and,

14. leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

 

Jesus has begun his ministry with the same words as John (Matt 3:2). He adds, believe the Good News. The kingdom is near at hand, but it has not fully come. It will not fully come in this life. It will always be only near. It is like the sunrise. Before the sun has risen over the horizon, the effects of the sun’s coming are clear. The pitch darkness is destroyed. The dawn has broken and we can see. Colour comes into the world but the full warmth and brightness of the sun are not yet here. However we know they will certainly come.

So it is with the Kingdom. Through our personal faith in Jesus our life changes completely. The darkness of aimlessness, sin, and despair has gone. We enjoy the presence and Message of Jesus. We know he is here with us. We hear his Word. We know where we are going and we can see the way. Jesus himself is the Way. His Word is the Truth and he has given us Life even now though like all life it will grow slowly to full maturity. That full maturity is the glory and joy of the Kingdom. We haven’t experienced it yet, but we know that if we continue to grow in him one day we will. This hope keeps us going.