Jesus Begins His Public Ministry - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14-15

Jesus Begins His Public Ministry
John the Baptist had earlier proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Two of his disciples had followed Jesus after John had again pointed Him out as the Lamb of God. One of these, Andrew, had also brought his brother Simon to Jesus, and Jesus had given him the name Peter. We find these things and more about Jesus calling disciples in John 1.

Here in Mark, after a brief mention of His baptism and the forty days of temptation in the wilderness, the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee is linked to the imprisonment of John the Baptist. John had plainly told King Herod of Galilee that it was unlawful for him to have his brother Philip's wife, Herodias. For this John had incurred her hatred and had been imprisoned.

John was suffering for his faithfulness under this wicked king, but Jesus does not let this deter Him. He preaches the gospel—the good news—of the kingdom of God, the future coming reign of righteousness that will succeed all human kingdoms. Isaiah had prophesied, "A king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa. 32:1-2).

This King was now present in person. How would He be received? Repentance was absolutely necessary, and the good news must be accepted. Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38). The Gospel of Mark especially presents His gracious and tireless ministry as God's Servant and Spokesman on earth. What are we, His followers, doing in a world that is as wicked or more so than the world in which He lived?

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.