“The
time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
Mark 1:15
Mark 1 [12.] Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.
Mark 1 [14.] Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
Mark 1 [16.] Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.”
Mark 1 [18.] Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.
Meaning:
This verse captures the essence of Jesus’ early ministry and the core message He came to proclaim. In just a few words, Jesus encapsulates the urgency, hope, and transformative power of the gospel. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of this verse within its context and for our lives today.
- The Fulfillment of Time:
"The time is fulfilled": Jesus begins by announcing that the appointed time has come. This phrase signals the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, as foretold by the prophets. The long-awaited Messiah has arrived, and with Him, the new era of God’s Kingdom is breaking into history. Galatians 4:4 reflects this when it says, "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son." The arrival of Jesus marks a pivotal moment in the divine timeline—a moment that changes everything.
- The Kingdom of God:
"The Kingdom of God is at hand": The Kingdom of God is central to Jesus’ teaching. It signifies God’s reign breaking into the world in a new and transformative way through Jesus. The Kingdom is not merely a future reality but is "at hand," meaning it is near and accessible, breaking into the present age. The presence of the Kingdom indicates that God’s rule is being established on earth, bringing justice, peace, and salvation. This Kingdom is characterized by the values and priorities of God, such as love, mercy, and righteousness. Matthew 6:33 encourages us to "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness," emphasizing that living under God’s rule should be our highest priority.
- Repentance and Faith:
"Repent": The call to repentance is an invitation to a radical change of mind and heart. Repentance involves turning away from sin, selfishness, and the ways of the world, and turning toward God. It’s not just about feeling remorse but about a total reorientation of one’s life toward God’s will. Acts 3:19 echoes this call, saying, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." Repentance is the necessary first step to entering the Kingdom of God.
"Believe in the Good News": Alongside repentance, Jesus calls us to believe in the Good News—or gospel—of God’s Kingdom. Belief here is more than intellectual assent; it is a deep trust in the truth and power of the gospel, a commitment to live in accordance with the message of Christ. This belief transforms us and aligns us with the reality of God’s Kingdom. Romans 1:16 declares the power of this belief: "For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes."
The Significance of Jesus’ Message
- A Message of Urgency:
"The time is fulfilled": There is an urgency in Jesus’ message. The time is now; the opportunity to respond to God’s call is immediate. Jesus' proclamation reminds us that the gospel demands a response today, not at some indefinite point in the future. The arrival of God’s Kingdom means that the time for decision has come. We cannot afford to delay or ignore this call.
- Transformation Through Repentance and Faith:
Repentance as Transformation: Repentance is about transformation, both personal and communal. It’s a turning away from sin and a turning toward the new life that God offers in His Kingdom. This transformation is both inward, affecting our hearts and minds, and outward, influencing our actions and relationships. When we repent, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and allow His Kingdom to take root in our lives.
Belief as Trust: To believe in the Good News is to trust in the power of the gospel to change our lives and the world around us. It is to embrace the truth that in Jesus, God is reconciling the world to Himself, offering forgiveness, healing, and hope. This belief is not passive but active, shaping how we live, think, and interact with others.
- The Kingdom as Present and Future:
Already and Not Yet: The Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. In Jesus, the Kingdom has already broken into the world, but it will not be fully realized until His return. This "already and not yet" nature of the Kingdom means that we live in the tension of experiencing God’s reign now while anticipating its complete fulfillment in the future. This reality calls us to live in hope, faithfulness, and active participation in God’s mission.
Cross-References:
Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound." Jesus identifies Himself with this prophecy in Luke 4:18-19, declaring that the time of God’s favor has arrived. This passage connects with Mark 1:15 by highlighting the mission of Jesus to bring the Good News of God’s Kingdom to those in need.
Matthew 4:17: "From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, 'Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'" This verse parallels Mark 1:15 and emphasizes the consistency of Jesus' message across the Gospels. The call to repentance and the announcement of the Kingdom are central to Jesus’ ministry from the beginning.
Romans 10:9-10: "That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Paul underscores the importance of belief in the Good News, tying it to our salvation. This belief involves a deep, transformative trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Conclusion: Mark 1:15 is a profound and powerful declaration of the arrival of God’s Kingdom through Jesus Christ. It calls us to respond with repentance and belief, embracing the new life that God offers. The urgency of the message reminds us that the time to respond is now, and the transformative power of the Kingdom invites us to live in a way that reflects God’s reign in our lives. As we repent and believe, we become participants in the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, experiencing the joy and hope of His Kingdom both now and in the age to come.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible