This Sunday's reading from Mark 1:9-15 is a good example of the brevity of Mark's Gospel. He tells us so much with so few words.
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
I was struck when reading this that Jesus calls for repentance first before belief, and I had to think that so many people miss the need for repentance these days and have changed the intent of the words, "just as I am" to mean that their life does not need transformation.
I have some more bad news for them. If they come to believe in Jesus and his Gospel, they will discover that they need to repent, and they will be changed.
Just as I am - without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - though toss'd about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove
Here for a season, then above,
-O Lamb of God, I come
Original Lyrics from Charlotte Elliot, 1835
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Just last week there was controversy over a Super Bowl ad about Jesus, "He Gets Us," which seemed to suggest that He meets sinners where they are without suggesting that when He does so, He calls on them to repent.
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch those ads because I recorded the game and fast forwarded through the ads and halftime after I got home that night. Once Jesus gets you, he starts changing people often in ways they didn't want.
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