Mar 1:14 | KingComments | STEP | John experiences the enmity of the world. He, who is Elijah who was to come ( ), leaves the stage in a quite different way than was reserved for Elijah ( ). This is the appropriate time for the Lord to begin His public service. The shining and burning lamp that John was ( ) disappears with the coming of the Light, that is the Lord Jesus ( ). The first thing Christ does here is preach the gospel. In His service, the power of His word is always expressed. We notice that when His word sounds: “Follow Me” ( ). That word works that four disciples follow Him immediately. Then He teaches the people with authority ( ). He also speaks with authority and an unclean spirit comes out ( ). He preaches that the kingdom of God is at hand. For He, the King of that kingdom, presents Himself. But we will see that the public power of the kingdom is postponed because He is rejected. The reign of satan is visible in the world. Yet now, in the time in which we live, there is already an area where Christ is Lord and Master. This is the kingdom of God in its hidden form. Although the kingdom is not yet visible, it is present, namely, in the heart of those who accept Christ as the Lord of their life ( ). There is another important lesson in the announcement that John has been taken into custody with the immediate consequence that the Lord Jesus begins to preach. When a voice is silenced, God always raises a new voice to preach His gospel. Am I willing to be used when others are silenced? Am I prepared to go on, realizing that the same fate awaits me (possibly)? The content of the Lord’s preaching is no different than that of John. The time has come for the kingdom of God to be established because the King is present. To enter the kingdom conversion and faith in the gospel are necessary. That its outward power cannot come, but will be delayed, is because the Preacher is rejected. But that is not yet the case here. The Lord begins by preaching the good news that God is introducing His kingdom, submitting everything to the authority of His Son. Those who repent will experience that God turns everything for the good of those who believe.

‏ Mark 1:14

Start of the Service

John experiences the enmity of the world. He, who is Elijah who was to come (Mal 4:5), leaves the stage in a quite different way than was reserved for Elijah (2Kgs 2:1). This is the appropriate time for the Lord to begin His public service. The shining and burning lamp that John was (Jn 5:35) disappears with the coming of the Light, that is the Lord Jesus (Jn 1:5).

The first thing Christ does here is preach the gospel. In His service, the power of His word is always expressed. We notice that when His word sounds: “Follow Me” (Mk 1:17). That word works that four disciples follow Him immediately. Then He teaches the people with authority (Mk 1:22). He also speaks with authority and an unclean spirit comes out (Mk 1:25 ; 27).

He preaches that the kingdom of God is at hand. For He, the King of that kingdom, presents Himself. But we will see that the public power of the kingdom is postponed because He is rejected.

The reign of satan is visible in the world. Yet now, in the time in which we live, there is already an area where Christ is Lord and Master. This is the kingdom of God in its hidden form. Although the kingdom is not yet visible, it is present, namely, in the heart of those who accept Christ as the Lord of their life (Rom 14:17).

There is another important lesson in the announcement that John has been taken into custody with the immediate consequence that the Lord Jesus begins to preach. When a voice is silenced, God always raises a new voice to preach His gospel. Am I willing to be used when others are silenced? Am I prepared to go on, realizing that the same fate awaits me (possibly)?

The content of the Lord’s preaching is no different than that of John. The time has come for the kingdom of God to be established because the King is present. To enter the kingdom conversion and faith in the gospel are necessary. That its outward power cannot come, but will be delayed, is because the Preacher is rejected. But that is not yet the case here. The Lord begins by preaching the good news that God is introducing His kingdom, submitting everything to the authority of His Son. Those who repent will experience that God turns everything for the good of those who believe.