Mark 1: 14-15 “The time has come,” Jesus said. “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
The gospel is that God connects to you not based on what we have or have not done but based on what Jesus has done, in history, for us.
You cannot have a relationship with Jesus unless he calls you. When Jesus says to Simon and Andrew, “Come, follow me,” at once, they leave their vocation as fishermen and follow him. When he calls James and John, they leave behind their father and friends, right there in the boat.
For Jesus to say, “I want priority over your family,” — that is drastic.
For Jesus to say, “I want priority over your career” — that is drastic.
Jesus is saying, “Knowing me, loving me, resembling me, serving me must become the supreme passion of your life. Everything else comes second.”
Religion is advice on how you must live to earn your way to God. The gospel is not advice. It is a gift that you receive by sheer grace. The gospel is not about choosing to follow advice; it is about being called to follow a King — someone with the power and authority to do what needs to be done and then offer it to you as good news.
Note from King’s Cross: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God
Grow In God's Grace 