“And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into
Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15).
Actually, Jesus’ statement can be translated this way: “The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and put your trust in the gospel.”
The time is fulfilled . . .
The kingdom of God is at hand . . .
Repent . . .
Put your trust in the gospel!
As you know, these are the words Jesus used to begin His
public ministry. I am sure there were many others things He could have said at
this juncture in His life, but He chose these very powerful words, and for good
reason, I am certain: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand; repent and believe the gospel.”
Whatever He might have meant by “the time is fulfilled” and
the “kingdom of God is at hand,” the rest of the statement is very clear: repent and believe the gospel. And, I
might add, it is very appropriate, even for today. It is the message that every
preacher should be preaching.
This message tells us to turn from the lie we have believed
(repent), the lie that convinces us that our works are important, and, then, to
put our trust in the good news of Jesus Christ, the very power of God for
salvation.
This good news not only convinces us that our works are as filthy
rags, but also that He has done all the work that will ever be necessary for our
justification, sanctification, glorification, and seating. The good news of the
gospel tells us to cease striving and know that He is God! There really does
remain a Sabbath rest for the people of God! I am wondering just how many will
ever enter into it.
Why do so many continue to believe that they have to earn
what He has freely and graciously provided?
