Instagram Jesus Week 5: Devotional Day 1

DAY 1 – Monday

Daily devotional

Read

Mark 1:14-20

Ask

Make a mental note of how many times this passage uses the word “immediately”. This is one of Mark’s favorite words throughout the gospel! How does the use of this word shape our understanding of this story?

Reflect

Since moving to the Boston area, I have a whole new appreciation for the lengthy freeway on and off ramps we have here in the Pacific Northwest. In the greater Boston area, such on and off ramps don’t exist (some “on-ramps” include a stop sign followed by a 90Àö turn onto an active freeway lane). With the usual heavy traffic, there is never a good time to try to get on the freeway. When you see an opening, you have to go for it immediately.

Within Mark 1:14-20, our keyword “immediately” appears twice as Simon (Peter) and Andrew then James and John make an immediate decision to follow Jesus. Ponder the weightiness of this. These four men were all wondering who is this Jesus. It is possible that they knew something about him as word had spread about the ministry of John the Baptist. It is also likely that they were familiar with the Old Testament texts concerning the expected Messiah (Christ), but keep in mind they are fishermen, not religious scholars by trade. While they may have had some ideas, their questions far out-numbered their answers

There are plenty of excuses these four men could have brought up. They could have claimed that they need to attend to their family business, or that they didn’t know enough about who he is to feel comfortable, or they could have said, “Sounds great, but this is not the right time for me.” They don’t give any of these excuses though. They are curious to find out who this Jesus really is.

Notice the way Mark records the response of the four men. Is it a verbal response or do they respond in action? As you respond to Jesus’ invitation, is there something holding you back from acting upon it?