If you have a short attention span then you've probably stopped reading this post already. But if you're still with me: this term, on Sunday mornings, we're looking at the first part of Mark's gospel. Mark is the shortest gospel, full of action, constantly moving on to the next thing - none of the long speeches that you might find in the other gospels. Mark wants to introduce us to Jesus and Mark wants us to come to the conclusion that Jesus is who he claimed to be and that following him really is worth it.
When Jesus calls his first four disciples in Mark 1:16-20 they immediately leave everything and follow him. But Jesus doesn't just call them to follow, he gives them a task to do (17).
Mark wants us to be under no illusion - following Jesus won't be easy. Jesus, after the high point of his baptism, is immediately led into the wilderness where he is tempted by Satan. John, after the high of seeing crowds responding to his preaching and getting baptised, finds himself in prison. We won't get as far as chapter 8 in this series but there (8:34-35) Jesus says, 'whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it'. The first disciples leave everything to follow Jesus.
Are you following Jesus? What has he called you to? Are you doing it?
