14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
In Conflict With Another
With the beginning of Jesus' preaching ministry, we have a conclusion, of sorts, to Mark's introduction. He had said, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (1). And now that he's covered Jesus' forerunner, baptism, and temptation, all he has left is the summary statement of Jesus' preaching ministry. It was simple: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (15).
The timing of Jesus' preaching of this message, at least here in Mark, is interesting. He started to declare the kingdom after John was arrested (14). John had declared the kingdom also, but now that he's off the scene, Jesus picks up and perfects his preaching work.
We're probably meant to see a conflict. Herod arrested John. The Roman government was against John's message. Their kingdom had taken their stand. Now Jesus comes along preaching a different kingdom, one in natural conflict with the kingdoms of this age.
In Fulfillment of the Old
But Jesus began his message by saying, the time is fulfilled (15). I don't need to touch on this too much, because Jesus' baptism already forced us to think about Israel's anticipation of the kingdom of God. Jesus now tells them the time has come. He is the one to fulfill countless prophecies. He would bring in God's kingdom.
Already Not Yet
So Jesus said, the kingdom of God is at hand (15). Matthew calls it the kingdom of heaven. This was explosive language filled with tons of meaning and implications in those days. Because of many Old Testament prophecies, the concept was familiar to that audience.
They were waiting for the King, one who would come from David (2 Samuel 7:8-17). They awaited the branch, a ruler who would bring everlasting peace and the knowledge of God to the entire world (Isaiah 11:1-9). He would replace all the false shepherds and religious leaders (Jeremiah 23:1-8). He would take all the weak and injured and rule over them in Jerusalem (Micah 4:6-7). As King, he would bring peace from sea to sea, so much so that military power would no longer be needed (Zechariah 9:9-11).
So now Jesus comes along and implies this kingdom has arrived. He says it is at hand.
Of course, we know the end of the story. He did not ascend to Jerusalem. He did not usher in worldwide peace. The lion did not lie down with the lamb.
Instead, Jesus was rejected by Israel and Rome. They crucified him. But it turns out this was all part of God's plan, and Jesus was resurrected.
He then departed earth and the Spirit was poured out on all his disciples. They went out to tell the world that belief in Jesus and his work on the cross would get them entrance into God's forgiveness, family, and kingdom.
And, one day, all the promises they waited for will come to pass. King Jesus will visibly rule forever and ever.
But that does not mean the kingdom is only going to come in the future. We are to pray for his kingdom to come, but it also already has come (Matthew 6:10). He can rule inside you. He can rule inside me. And the longing of our hearts today is for his rule to expand into as many people as possible. Jesus Famous in as many people as possible. His kingdom is right there, at hand.
Turn Into It by Faith
This is why Jesus tells everyone to repent and believe in the gospel (15). He isn't describing two distinct things, but one swift movement. Repentance describes what we turn from -- sin -- while belief describes what we turn to -- the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The King has come. He has brought a kingdom. And you can come into it!
Stop living life without him. Turn around and go his way.
Somehow, over time, we've made this word repent out to be a harsh word. But it is a loving imploration to go the way that is good for you. If you are walking along with little children, and they turn in the wrong direction, or even a dangerous direction, you call out to them. Turn around. Let's go this way. But you aren't raging in anger. You love them and merely want them to go the right way.
And all through the book of Mark, we are going to be faced with this challenge from Jesus: repent and believe in the gospel (15). I'm not talking about mere intellectual assent to the truth of the gospel. Nor am I talking about feelings of spiritual despair leading to the rending of our garments before God.
Instead, I am talking about the change of direction for which Jesus will constantly advocate. Remember, Mark wants us to consider Jesus, for Jesus to confront us. And when he does, we must turn around and follow him.
