The beginning of the good news
of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…
the time is fulfilled,
and the reign of God has come near;
repent and believe in the good news.

– Mark 1:1,15

This week we began a new chapter in our country with new leadership and new directions. Many cheered. Others groaned. The week was filled with pledges and oaths, all centered on our Constitution. That is appropriate. But amidst all the claims and counter claims of political rhetoric we have heard it is important to remind ourselves of our ultimate allegiance. The beginning of the Gospel of Mark provides a good compass to guide us.

Mark’s Gospel begins with the announcement of “the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” To us it sounds so familiar, but in its day it was radical. It practically invited execution for saying it. Why?

In first-century Rome the word “gospel”-- good news-- was reserved for an imperial proclamation—a message from the king to his subjects. Everyone knew this—including the early Christian writers. The simplest expression of the “good news” in the Roman empire was “Caesar is Lord.” To refuse to say it was punishable by death. An inscription on a Roman statue from Jesus’ day announced the good news that “(Emperor) Augustus, the son of god, was the savior.” 

Mark chose to directly challenge this thinking by beginning his narrative with “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” A new king had arrived. The high reign of Caesar was over. No wonder Herod went wild and killed so many infants in his attempt to snuff out this threat. The narrative continues a few verses later with Jesus’ baptism when the heavens were “torn apart” and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus. In the person of Jesus, God’s reign had burst into the world in a definitive new way.

As twenty-first century followers of Jesus, living amid the swirl of competing claims for our allegiance, Mark calls us back to our foundation. In Baptism we were marked with the cross of Christ and claimed by this new king to live in his eternal reign. In faith we pledge allegiance to our ultimate Lord. Certainly we pray for our earthly leaders—for wisdom and humility—knowing that there is a Heavenly Power at work as well. It is a good sign that President Biden worships so regularly.

With this said, the earthly power struggles continue—flags are waved, riots occur, rhetoric flourishes—just as Jesus’ way of love and nonviolence clashed with the religious and political leadership of his day. They tried to stop him at the cross, but on the third day he rose from the dead in the power of the Holy Spirit. He showed that there was a Greater Power to contend with. It is to that Power that we pledge our faithfulness and live in obedience.

– Rolf Olson, Visitation Pastor

Prayer

God of all, you came in Jesus to show us the limits of earthly power. In humility we submit our lives to your eternal reign. Thank you for modelling true leadership and the values that we need to guide us. Through your Spirit empower us to live in obedience and faithfulness. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.