Mark 1

John and Jesus both came to preach Good News of a coming kingdom. They came to a world fractured by war. The Jordan River was a boundary between Rome's empire and the enemy. As such is was an uneasy place. Yet people came out to be baptized. This is where John baptized many people.

Both Jesus and John preached about the advent of a new world. John came to announce the savior. Jesus was the savior. As savior he would announce the coming kingdom that he would rule. There would be a new world, new rules. Yet it did not really happen. Instead we come into the kingdom one by one, not as a group. The whole nation of Israel did not repent and accept her savior. They rejected and killed him.

This reminds me to pray today for places that have strife. We pray that the kingdom of God will come there. Just as Jesus came to bring the kingdom to Israel. Jesus does come to these places calling people to repentance and peace. Yet still today most people reject his advances. Yet still today people come into the kingdom one person at a time.

I can think of a few places where there is strife. Syria and Congo (Zaire) come to mind. I am sure there are others. Let us pray for souls to repent and accept Jesus and join a fellowship of believers. And let us pray for peace.

Let us pray or workers in those wartime places.