Do you want to know God’s timing regarding events in your life? Following on from my last blog about John the Baptist, let’s look at the importance of timing in God’s plans, Jesus’ ministry, in the lives of those who followed Jesus and in our lives. Here are eight points from Mark 1:9-20.
1. Note the importance of timing, as verse 9 is connected back to John’s testimony about Jesus and the Holy Spirit in verse 8. The events meshed together so others could see God’s hand at work and His timing.
Similarly I can look at my life and see God’s hand at work and His timing of events. Are you looking for God’s timing in your situation?
2. The proof of John’s prophecy in verse 8, is evident as the Holy Spirit visibly descends in the form of a dove on Jesus, verse 10. This was not for Jesus’ benefit but so that John could rest secure that Jesus was the promised one- the one he had been waiting for. This sign came as confirmation and encouragement for John. God spoke from heaven proclaiming Jesus as His Son.
Today, out of the blue, I received an email as confirmation and encouragement about the move we are planning, affirming that this is indeed God’s timing.
3. The Spirit sent Jesus into the difficult situation in the desert, where he was tempted by Satan.
At times we may be aware of the Spirit prompting us, directing us into a difficult area where we need to rely closely on God and His word as Jesus did. For more detail about this time of Jesus’ temptation, check out Matthew 4:1-11.
4. After John was imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee and began his ministry. John’s ministry was almost at an end. His ministry was for a limited time and replaced by one whose ministry was more powerful, verse 14.
Similarly God knows exactly where and for how long our ministry is required in a certain area.
5. Again we see the emphasis on timing in this story. Jesus proclaimed the good news and stated, ‘The time has come.’ Jesus came into the world at the time ordained by His heavenly Father. ‘But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons,’ Galatians 4:4. Jesus also began his ministry when the time was right. Look at the following verses and you will see how conscious Jesus was of adhering to God’s timetable, Matthew 26:18, John 2:4, 7:6, 33, John 13:1, John 17:1.
Is the time right now for a ministry or a new area of ministry God is calling you to? As we look to moving and to a new church we are interested to see what area of ministry God has for us. It’s exciting and a bit scary to leave the decision up to God.
6. When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him they went ‘at once.’ Without any hesitation.
We need to be both flexible and obedient to respond when Jesus calls us to follow where He leads.
7. Jesus spoke to the fishermen in a language they would understand as he called them to become, ‘fishers of men.’
We need to remember when talking to others about Jesus, to speak in a language they can understand. Too often Christians talk in jargon, using words that mean nothing to the unbeliever.
Years ago when I was part of BSF International we often had a question that asked us to explain a verse as if speaking to a five year old. Believe me, it makes you quickly get rid of jargon and Christianese and use plain understandable language.
8. James and John had to leave family and responsibilities. Sometimes we might have to leave family to follow where Jesus leads. Certainly this was true for us when we had to leave our son in Sydney and move to Orange. Soon we will leave our church family of eleven years, to go where Jesus calls us. Are you prepared to give up whatever you have to, to follow Jesus?
Related Links
Five Lessons From John the Baptist
From the Standpoint of the Bible
The Blessing of the Word