Let me encourage you to pray and read along with us as we read thru the gospel of Mark. As we read let’s be reminded these words of scripture are the very breath of the Father. Our time in His Word and in prayer are communion with Him.
Through this first chapter notice “authority”. Consider John the Baptist… where did he receive authority to baptize? Why did people see him as an authority of the message of Jesus? Then we read of Jesus, “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22). Did Jesus receive authority from the leadership of the day? No, he didn’t.
Today, we are a society of class and influence. Authority is given by fame, power, riches, and influence. We give authority to those by popular opinion. But that’s not the authority John the Baptist or Jesus walked in. Their authority was given by the Father. Their influence, their authority was spiritual, and it was given by the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t lorded over people but used to serve the spiritual needs of others.
How do we use our authority? What do we do with our influence? Do we leverage our position for the kingdom of God? I’m asking myself these questions today as well as writing them here. Jesus, John… they were about the Father’s business. They didn’t adhere to the cultural norm. Their heart was to see people repent and believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. What about you and me?
Father, help us to be kingdom minded. Help us to lay down our lives for the sake of the gospel. To see people, turn away from their sins and out their faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Let’s us walk transformed so we can see transformation in the lives of those around us. By Your grace and mercy. In Jesus name, amen.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.