The Beginning of the Gospel

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.     Mark 1:1 ESV

When I began my Bible reading this morning, I had to go back and make sure I was in the right place.  I did not expect to be reading in the New Testament yet!  But, sure enough, this is where I am.

I've been using the Bible app on my phone to read through the Bible chronologically this year.  I love the context that comes with that, and the interesting things I learn about biblical history and timelines, and I just find that reading the scriptures in this way brings new perspective in a lot of ways.

What is significant to me this day, though, is less the words of this verse from the book of Mark, and more about the unique position of this day in the brief history of 2021.  Or, more accurately, I was struck by the passage of time, and the ways in which time moves forward while God continues to work His purposes.

Just two days ago, I finished reading the lists of those exiles who had returned to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the temple, as recorded by Nehemiah.  Now, after a quick read of Joel's prophecies yesterday, including a look into things that seem to be playing out in our world today and that will happen in the days to come, I opened today to Mark's gospel.

As I may have slept through much of my Old and New Testament survey classes in college, I will need to do a bit of research to understand the timeline from the rebuilding of the temple to the incarnation of Christ.  But this morning, I'm caught somewhere between "Wow!" and "Whoah!"  It seems like a very abrupt transition from the Old to the New Testaments, and it is something that I miss in years where I read through the Scripture in a non-chronological order.

But here's what is really on my mind: time is passing.  Rapidly!

I generally try to redirect my thoughts when I start to become too aware of the passage of time, because I find it uncomfortable to consider the ramifications.  I tend to think far too much of life on earth, outside the context of eternity.  And while I know that my eternity is settled by faith in Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, it is life on planet earth that seems to consume so much of my thought life.

So here I sit in September 2021, realizing that this year is nearly 3/4 done.  This week brought the first day of fall, making my pumpkin spice friends rejoice.  And there are fewer than 100 days left in this year, meaning that Christmas shopping season is upon us.

This year has brought so many struggles - personal struggles, but also so much chaos and struggle in our nation and in our world.  From an ongoing pandemic to unsettling political and economic times to war and threat of war, and so much more.  My coping mechanisms are worn thin, at best, and while I have tried to spend much time in the Word of God, I confess that I am just weary of it all.  I have been so anxious for 2021 to be over!

And so, my thought this morning is that perhaps I should not be so anxious for this year to come to an end.  Time is a commodity that cannot be reclaimed.  I do not know what 2022 will bring.  I don't even know what tomorrow will bring.  I have this moment, and I do not want to waste it.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Whatever may have consumed the beginning of this year, today presents a new beginning.  This is not a time for debating politics or vaccine mandates or anything else that will not last.  Yes, those things impact our lives, and we should acknowledge those issues, seek God about them, and live accordingly.  But debate is not productive in the propagation of the Gospel.

As we have allowed ourselves to become consumed with "slowing the spread" of a virus, I fear that what we have really slowed is the spread of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  

And so, for the little ladies who occasionally cross my path and feel the need to express their frustration with the lack of masks being worn or of shots being taken, instead of just smiling while inwardly thinking them silly...

Perhaps, instead, I could encourage them with the words of Jesus when He said, "Fear not."

Maybe what they need to know has nothing to do with viruses and experimental drugs and face coverings.  What they need to know is that there is a God in heaven who loved them so much that He sent His only Son to die in their place.

So, yes, fall is here.  Christmas is right around the corner.  2021 will soon come to an end.  Let's make sure these last 98 days of the year count for eternity!

...Just a thought...