Immediately

Love to hear from and know who is listening When I was younger my father would give me a chore to do, like clean your room or go pick up your toys. Sometimes when the chore was something that I really didn't like I would tend to procrastinate. On those occasions my father would tell me a second time, I want you to go pick up your toys, “immediately if not sooner!” Many years have passed since my childhood. I am now 60 years old and my father is 80. However, I know that when my father calls and says, “Jeff, when you have time can you come help me work on my lawn mower,” that is not really what he means. I know what my father really wants is for me to drop everything I am doing and come help him work on his lawn mower “immediately if not sooner!” I love my father and he extended a lot of grace to me during my younger years. That grace was also extended to me many times when I was a young parent and I didn't make the best decisions. The bottom line is I know my father would do anything, within his ability, to make my life easier. So when my assistance is needed I respond, “Immediately if not sooner!” The word “immediately” appears about 59 to 87 times, across 7 different books in the bible depending upon the translation your using. The, “immediately” jumps off the pages in the Gospel of Mark. It is used at least 35 times, close to half the occurrences of the word in the entire New Testament. With so many events happening “immediately” in Mark, the Gospel takes on an urgent tone. In the book of Mark the first use of the word immediately appears in the very first chapter.  Mark 1:16-18 ESV Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mark wastes no time with lengthy introductions. The very first verse of the book of Mark says: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” He jumps right in, telling his primarily Roman or Gentile audience that he has life-changing, world-altering, news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I can identify with Mark. I have a tendency to jump head first into whatever I am doing. Sometimes things work out for me and sometimes I am like a bull in a china cabinet. I have a high level of energy, but not a lot of focus. I need people like my wife who is a bit more deliberate and focused to rein me in and slow me down before I do more damage than good! Mark’s repeated use of the word “immediately” serves to heighten the urgency of his message. With each repetition of the word, the critical nature of Christ’s mission is reinforced. The message of Mark’s Gospel is presented more through Christ’s actions than His words, taking readers “immediately” from one event to the next.  Mark 1:23-24 ESV And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” Jesus Christ mission, “the spreading of the gospel” demands that believers take “immediate” action! True discipleship does not make excuses or wait for a better more convenient time. For those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior obedience cannot be postponed! 2 Peter 3:9-10 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.  Support the show