Jesus’ Mission: Discovering the Power, Purpose, and Call to Follow Him Today

Jesus’ ministry began after John the Baptist’s ministry concluded. There was more to the timing of Jesus’ ministry than John’s passing from the public eye.

“The time has come” means God’s special salvation time has arrived. What God ordained before He created the earth was entering the stream of time and history.

The Kingdom of God invaded the world in the person of Jesus. You can experience it in 2024. It is within reach.

Mark 1:14-15 gives the content of Jesus’ message. When the kingdom was declared, a response was required.

It still is. The first necessary response is repentance. The second is belief.

Repentance is a 180-degree turn from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Belief is leaning your whole weight without reservation on Jesus Christ, God’s provision for your sin.

Repentance is turning from sin. Belief is turning to Christ. When you grasp God’s undeserved favor, you are unshackled from the ball and chain of earning God’s acceptance through your performance.

Assurance of salvation comes when you trust Jesus’ finished work on the cross alone. It is finished. You cannot add anything.

Next, Mark directs your attention to Jesus’ challenge to Peter and Andrew, who would spread His message (Mark 1:16-20). “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people” (Mark 1:17, NIV). The promise still applies in the 21^st century.

Following Jesus means putting Him first. Fishing for people is part of that. Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately left their nets and followed Jesus.

What “nets” must you leave to follow Jesus more closely? Jesus’ challenge is not to drop everything you are presently doing. It is reprioritizing everything. First things must be put first.

Mark 1:21-39 records a whirlwind of events in a single 24-hour period. In Mark 1:21-34, we see Jesus’ unique authority.

His teaching compels decisions. It disturbs people who march to their self-created tunes. He drove out demons with the authority of His word.

He astonished the crowds beyond measure. Their mouths were open. Their chins almost dragged on the ground.

He healed Peter’s mother-in-law without speaking a word. He healed many. He drove out many demons. He has no equal in human history.

Despite Jesus’ growing fame, the response in Capernaum was shallow and superficial (Matthew 11:23–24). He retreated to a quiet place to pray to renew His strength and keep His perspective despite discouraging results in Capernaum.

Peter and the rest incorrectly used popularity to gauge the success of Jesus’ ministry. They wanted Jesus to remain in Capernaum.

Jesus did not bask in the applause. His goal was to go elsewhere—ultimately, to the entire world. What is your takeaway?

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God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,150 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.  

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