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Page 2 January 22, 2012
Now Jesus picks up where John had left off. He came with the very same message: “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’” Jesus also preached repentance and faith in forgiveness. Unfortunately may who heard it only felt the prick of the law and never benefited from the soothing balm of the Gospel, the good news that Jesus was bringing.
Not only was Jesus proclaiming the same message for which John the Baptist was thrown in prison, Jesus was the very one whom John the Baptist had singled out to be the greater prophet. As he saw Jesus he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). John was preparing the way for Jesus. And if the opening act was in prison, what would happen to the main event?
It seemed that there would be nothing to gain by throwing your lot in with this man, Jesus. And if it would be foolish even to be associated with him, how much more foolish would it be to abandon your livelihood and means of subsistence to make it your job to follow this man? This was a dangerous call for those disciples. “I want you to leave your career and your family and your whole life behind, and come and be my followers and disciples.” That is what Jesus asked of these men in our text. What could possibly be gained from following him? They must have thought this.
Leave and follow. That was his call. And look at the response. “At once” and “without delay” were the words Mark used to describe their eager response to this call. They didn’t hesitate for a moment to leave behind everything they had and to follow this man. Why? What would they gain?
That answer is fully understood in the name that we have for this man as our theme for today. This was no ordinary man walking and talking among them. This was not another prophet sent from God. This was not some great high priest or the next in line to be king of Israel. This was God himself. This was Immanuel, “God with Us.” This was God from God and Light from Light. And God was there walking among them!
Could you imagine what it would be like to be alive in those days? To see in the flesh the fulfillment of all the prophets for ages past! God had come among men to bring good news, to bind up the brokenhearted and release from bondage for the captive. This was the good news that Immanuel proclaimed. He was there to free them from their sin. That is why those disciples followed him. That is why it was worth it for them to give up everything to follow him. He is Immanuel, God with us to deliver us.
Friends, we too are privileged. We have Immanuel, God with Us, also wherever the Word is proclaimed. He continues to bring us the good news of sins forgiven. Jesus announced, “The kingdom of heaven is near.” The kingdom of heaven is the ruling of God in the hearts of men through this Word, the wonderful good news that Jesus proclaimed. And he calls us to leave and follow.
What is it that he asks us to give up? Sometimes it is sinful lifestyles or behaviors. Those things that my sinful nature craves so much, but is contrary to God’s will. These are some of what God asks me to give up.
When a husband comes home from a long