The Time Is Fulfilled: Beginning a Journey Through Mark

How should one approach the Gospel of Mark?

For me, the first thing that has always stood out is its pace. The often-repeated word "immediately" says it all. Jesus and His disciples are constantly on the move, and Jesus is always doing something. Mark does not give us the long sermons and discourses found in Matthew, Luke, or John. Instead, he paints a vivid picture of Jesus through movement and action.

But how does this sense of urgency shape our faith and our understanding of Mark's message?

I often think of the Passover and God's instructions to the people of Israel on the night of their deliverance:

"In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover." (Exodus 12:11)

There is something of that same urgency in Mark's Gospel. The Christian life is not meant to be stagnant. It is a life in motion—a heart moving ever closer to God, a life increasingly shaped by love, repentance, and faith.

In the Apostles' Creed, we profess that Christ will come to judge "the living and the dead." An older translation speaks of "the quick and the dead," where quick means alive and active. Mark presents us with that same image of discipleship: a faith that is alive, moving, and responding to the call of God.

So where should we begin our study of Mark?

I believe the first recorded words of Jesus in this Gospel provide the perfect starting point:

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

In this single verse, several of the great themes of Mark's Gospel come rushing together: fulfillment, kingdom, repentance, faith, and good news.

What are we to make of these words? What is Jesus revealing about Himself and His mission? What does He want us to understand about God's work in the world?

These themes will guide our journey through Mark's Gospel, and they raise several important questions:

1. What "time" is Jesus speaking about? If something has been fulfilled, then a promise must have come before it.
2. What does Jesus mean by the "kingdom of God"? How does it relate to the promises God made to Israel?
3. Why are repentance and faith the proper response to the good news of the Gospel?

These questions will serve as our guide in the weeks ahead as we walk through the Gospel of Mark together. My hope is that this study will not only deepen our understanding of Scripture but also strengthen our faith and encourage us to follow Christ more faithfully in our daily lives.

The Gospel of Mark moves quickly, and so does the call of Christ. The kingdom is at hand. The time is fulfilled. The invitation remains the same today as it was on the shores of Galilee:

Repent and believe in the Gospel.