Our first reading is Psalm 62.
The next time you feel persecuted, make this your prayer.
The next time you feel the Man come knocking, make this your prayer.
The next time sinners entice you to come with them to ambush the innocent, to take what doesn’t belong to you, to get ahead on the backs of others, make this Psalm your prayer.
The next time your portfolio grows or you come into some extra money, pray this.
The next time you feel afraid, make this your prayer.
The next time someone you trust fails you, pray this.
Psalm 62:5-12 (NRSV)
5For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is refuge for us.
9Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12and steadfast love belongs to you,
O Lord.
Things are changing. Those who have no power, the poor, and those who have power, the rich, are but a breath, a vanity that floats away to meaninglessness. Exhale…But what is true as the world changes and overturns, is that power belongs to God, and so does steadfast love.
Our next reading is a brief selection from an ancient letter written by Paul to a church in the city of Corinth that was being torn apart by divisions. He begs them to stay united to Christ, who he argues is vastly more important than any human leader or figurehead—be it Paul or Peter or Apollos—Christ is the head of the church and Christ will return soon. In fact, he argues that Christ’s already-not-yet reign is so fully imminent that we should live today as if it’s true—no longer burdened by the problems of the world that is wasting away like sour relationships, or death, or money, or the stuff you spend your time worried about.
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NRSV)
29I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Like the psalmist, Paul agrees that this world is changing and passing away, and things we think really matter don’t really matter because love reigns down in Jesus Christ. So you have permission to stop working that job you hate, or you can stop mourning the loss of that loved one who dwells with Christ because soon you’ll dwell with Christ and all will be well, or you can leave that relationship that hasn’t been life-giving for a long time, or you don’t need to buy the Mega Millions lottery ticket because what is money? Will currency even matter when Christ reigns supreme? Like the Psalmist, Paul is basically saying, when the world order turns over, it’s not permission to loot and steal and burn down society, hoarding gold won’t help, an upheaval of the world order isn’t permission for anarchy, instead when the present form of this world is passing away, and big changes are happening, find comfort in Christ, be patient through the changes, for the hidden reign of God is being made known and coming to it’s fullness.
What would it look like for you to live today as if this were true? Stop being so worried, so stressed, so angry, have some faith, trust that you are going to be okay, and you don’t have to be bogged down by the matters of the world that are just silly, meaningless, and won’t matter in fullness of the kingdom of heaven.
Paul’s genius is that he’s asking the church to be the kind of community of people that live today as if one world is ending and God’s world is beginning, which means you so much permission to stop caring about the things that are stressing you out, you are free to change, free to love, but before you get all excited and run off to rob a bank, remember that so much of society is fabricated illusion and vanity and meaningless and not eternal. So consider, who is eternal? What is everlasting? The bridge to the future is faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.
Now we turn to Mark’s Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
The time is now.
The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent
and believe in the good news.
This is the message that Jesus preaches throughout the region of Galilee.
In preaching this message, it becomes true.
The time is now. Time is fulfilled. It’s happening. The reign of God is coming near. The world is passing away and here comes a new world order. God is on the move.
Repent.
What does it mean to repent?
Most simply, it means to turn around. Turn around. Stop going that way, the way of the world, and start going this way, the way of Christ. Find your way back to God, and discover that God has already moved to meet you right in the turning.
Why do we need to repent?
Because the time dictates the turn.
Michigan is marching down the field with 1:13 left in the third quarter. This is that bowl game from a few years ago. One end-zone is painted navy and yellow, for the Michigan Wolverines, the other end-zone is orange and blue, for the Florida Gators. Chad Henne hands the ball off to little Mike Hart, it’s a stretch play to the right. He gets a first down. Michigan lines up quickly, trips to the right, Henne shouts hike, he drops back to pass—he see’s Arrington streaking down the sideline, cornerback two steps behind, suddenly the ball is in the air, drifting to the sideline, Arrington never loses stride, contorts his body, leaps into the air, catches the football, and lands with a toe in bounds. Now we’re on the 15 yard line, heading towards the orange Gator end-zone. Michigan hands the ball off to Mike Hart, he wiggles ahead for a few yards. As Michigan lines up to run their next play, time is ticking on the clock. 4-3-2-1. They don’t get the play off. Time expires. A whistle blows. We go to commercial break. When the game resumes, it’s the fourth quarter. Both teams change directions, they flip the field. Now Michigan is heading towards the navy and yellow end-zone. If you don’t change directions, you’re playing the wrong game. Can you imagine if Henne or Hart didn’t turn around and go the opposite direction. They’d be 90 yards back the other way, standing by themselves, wondering where everyone went.
I think you know exactly what it means that the time dictates the turn.
The time is now, repent and believe the good news. Turn around and go the other direction. Stop living a meaningless, selfish life, turn around and follow Jesus, believe in the good news.
You’re walking through the airport, everyone is moving about in every direction. You’ve got your ticket to fly to New York flight 5776, departing in 30 minutes from Gate A23. Amidst the bustling energy of the airport you hear an almost angelic voice chime in: flight 5776, destination New York, will now be departing in 30 minutes from Gate B12. You stop. You look at your ticket. You turn around and hustle to gate B12, because you want to get to your destination.
Jesus begins his ministry the moment John the Baptist gets arrested. He picks up the mantel and preaches throughout Galilee,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
In the hearing of this announcement, may it be true. The time is now, turn around, and believe in the good news.
Jesus is walking along the shores of the sea of Galilee. He sees two brother, Simon and Andrew, in a boat just off the shore, in the middle of work, casting and hauling in their nets. Jesus interrupts with a command,
“Follow me and I will make you fish for people…”
They say nothing. They immediately stop and leave behind what they were doing. As if a whistle blew they change without even a hesitation, and follow Jesus.
Jesus is walking along the shores of the sea of Galilee, a little further along, and he sees more fishermen. The Zebedee boys, James and John. They’re in the middle of work, mending their nets. Jesus interrupts and calls them to follow him.
Without speaking or saying anything.
Without asking their father’s permission.
Without saying goodbye to their coworkers.
Without going home to pack their bags. Immediately they leave their whole life and follow this Jesus wherever he is going.
The time is now.
Repent and believe the good news.
Follow Jesus.
I know you have stuff to do, work to do, projects to do. You’re right in the middle of a puzzle. You’re right in the middle of dinner. There are things you like about your life that you aren’t ready to give up. Or, you’re just too busy with your stuff and your people, but Jesus is calling, and this isn’t just for folks going into ministry. Jesus doesn’t just call pastors. Jesus is calling…fishermen, lawyers, teachers, prostitutes, IRS agents, retired folks, elderly folks, young adults, college students, teenagers, children, infants…even you.
The time is fulfilled.
The announcement has been made.
If you want to be on the flight that goes to New York, you can’t walk to gate A23 anymore, you need to turn around and go in the opposite direction or you’ll never get to your destination.
The time is now.
Repent and believe the good news.
Follow Jesus.
Who are you following?
Which pastors or teachers or mentors do you prefer?
Which leader do you like?
Which news network do you watch?
Which friends sway you?
Which commentators persuade you?
Which storytellers entertain you?
Which parent’s wisdom do you prefer?
Who are you following?
Forget about them.
Follow Jesus.
The time is now.
turn around,
Jesus is calling.
Jesus is walking along the shores of the sea of Galilee, a little further along now. Two sets of brothers follow him.
Andrew whispers to Peter, “Where are we going?”
Peter responds, “I don’t know, but we’re going where he goes.”
James whispers to John, “How do we know what to do?”
John replies, “I don’t know, just try to do what he does.”
Andrew whispers to Peter, “Should we tell mom?”
Peter smiles, “I think she’ll hear about him soon enough.”
Leave your life, with no worries, and put on His life,
Follow Jesus, won’t you please.
Pray with me.
Dear Jesus, come to us again today, as you have throughout our lives and for generations, and call us to follow you. Then by your Holy Spirit, may we turn from whatever has distracted us, tempted us, wasted us, or confused us, by your Holy Spirit, turn us toward you. Amen.
