More than Information

S - "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1:1-4 NIV)

O - John begins to call people to think differently about sins (μετάνοια) Jesus will call all people to think differently about everything.  The NIV begins Mark's account with the phrase "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah (my emphasis).  The Greek is properly translated of not about … the difference isn't minor.  Jesus didn't just bring good news he is the good news.  The good news of Jesus is not just information about him; the good news of Jesus is Jesus himself! "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me." (John 12:44-45 NIV)

A - Heaven isn't calling the world to believe things about Jesus. It is calling the world to believe the person of Jesus.  "Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”" (John 6:28-29 NIV) Any and all information about Jesus has its true significance exclusively in the context of personal response to his person. "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5:39-40 NIV)

P - Father in heaven,

Thank you for sending the good news in the person of Jesus and in him giving us your very self. I admit that when I see and hear him I'm seeing and hearing you. I welcome the essential help of your spirit to know him and to engage the transformed thinking, living, speaking and loving which is your will on earth for all. Thank you for letting us live and pray in Jesus name.

Steve