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Mark 1:38-39
After Jesus had finished His morning prayers (Mark 1:35), and His first-called disciples had found Him in the secluded place in which He had departed from them to pray, He made an announcement, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth” (Mark 1:38). We have already learned the message that Jesus preached as He has declared in Mark 1:15 (NKJV), “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” And in calling His disciples, we have learned why He called them as Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Jesus is not only preaching the message of the gospel/good news of the kingdom of heaven, but He is teaching others how to follow in His footsteps and become preachers themselves.
This is an example of the heart-felt sharing of the gospel that God leads us all, as His disciples in Christ Jesus, to do.
Jesus did not simple preach the message of the gospel once and then pass the responsibility on to others; He showed the passion and desire to share the message of the gospel with others as we would relate to an evangelist, going from town to town preaching the importance of repentance and putting one’s faith in the saving gift of God as we put Him first in our lives. And in doing so, leading others to also share the message of the gospel. Jesus has declared, “…because for this purpose I have come forth” (Mark 1:38), and He preached throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons (Mark 1:39). But we must not forget nor overlook that Jesus cast out demons – the very evil that He came to save us from. Jesus not only spiritually transforms us, He physically transforms us as He frees us from the demons of Satan and gives us new life. We put off the old life of sin and put on the new life in Christ. This is the gift of the gospel to all who will believe. The Bible teaches us in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Dear LORD,
We are your living examples of discipleship in the world today. Please help us to learn from Your Word so that we may be living examples of discipleship to all those around us in our reasonable service to You for transforming our lives into the visible reflections of Jesus today. Thank You LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.