Daily Devotion for March 16, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Mark 1:14-17.

“The Gospel According to Mark” doesn’t begin with a birth story.  He wants to get right into the message and ministry of Jesus. So he begins telling Jesus’ story with the time his ministry began. And in these verses, we have the tone-setting message that Jesus offered to begin his ministry: “Repent and believe the good news (gospel)!”  Repent is his invitation to turn away from the ways of this world and turn our life “Godward.” It may be that your turn does not have to be 180 degrees, but more like 90 or 45 degrees. We are all in constant need of adjusting the direction in which we are going. Therefore, we all need this reminder to repent; to make a turn, no matter the degree needed to get back on course toward God and living the way of Christ.

Jesus also invites us to believe his good news - to believe that accepting his gift of grace puts us right with God and frees us from worrying about whether we have done enough to please God. It’s such good news; it makes me want to upgrade it to “great news!”

It’s a great summary of the message Jesus came to offer throughout his ministry: Keep turning toward God and accept God’s “good news” gift! And remember to invite everyone you can to do the same!  

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Gracious God, thank you for this reminder to continually turn my life toward you. Forgive me when I get to thinking that only other people need to do that. Help me truly repent and believe your good news. Through Christ I pray, Amen.