Immediately

Mark 1:16-20

Have you ever read the first few chapters of Mark and been amazed at how many times Mark utilizes the word “Immediately”? This was brought to my attention as I was reading the story of when Jesus called the first disciples. Just a few verses earlier marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry as He proclaims to all people the gospel of God and for all people to “repent and believe in the gospel” (v.15).  He then calls the first disciples, Peter and Andrew. He charges them to follow Him and He will make them “fishers of men”. It then says that they “immediately” dropped their nets and followed. He then calls James and John and they also “immediately” followed Him. I mean if I told you that your lights are on in your car, how would I know if you were listening and obedient? Sure, by your action in getting up and shutting off the lights and providing a remedy for the situation. It appears the disciples were fully obedient to Jesus’ command “right now”. Not next week, not just when I get around to it, but directly when asked. I wonder if we might take this to heart and act when Christ asks us to do something.

Questions for further thought:
1. How can the disciples’ willingness to act encourage me as I seek to follow Christ?
2. What spiritual disciplines could I pursue in order to follow Jesus more closely?

Challenge: Commit to one spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible reading, etc...) and follow through with it every day this week.