Jesus’ Authority Demands Your Response
Before I dive in, let me encourage you to take a minute to go read Mark 1:14-34 when you wrap up here. In it we see Jesus step onto the scene with an undeniable authority—an authority that demands a response.
In this passage, Jesus begins His public ministry after John the Baptist's arrest. He proclaims that the Kingdom of God is at hand, calling people to repent and believe in the gospel.
He then calls His first disciples—Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John—who immediately leave everything to follow Him.
Next, Jesus demonstrates His authority in teaching at the synagogue in Capernaum, amazing the crowd because He speaks with divine authority, unlike the scribes. While there, He casts out a demon, showing His power over spiritual forces.
Later, Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and by evening, crowds bring the sick and demon-possessed to Him. He heals many and drives out demons, confirming His authority over sickness, sin, and the brokenness of the world.
This passage establishes Jesus as the long-awaited King, calling people to faith and action. Within a single day, He establishes His power in teaching, over demonic forces, and over sickness, proving that He is the long-awaited fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. For self-proclaiming Christians in 2025, this revelation isn't just historical; it demands an immediate and wholehearted response.
The Arrival of the Kingdom
A Doorway to a New Era
Imagine standing before a doorway. Maybe it’s the front door of your house, the door from your office to the hallway, or even a door leading to a public restroom. It doesn’t matter. The fact is, every door has a level of significance in that it is a transition from one place to another. It is a move to a new reality from another. You approach a door knowing that once you cross the threshold, things change. Jesus’ arrival is that doorway—the moment where God’s Kingdom breaks into human history in a way never seen before. When He proclaims, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15), He is declaring that the long-anticipated reign of God is not just coming—it is here. All those prophesies, all that waiting, it is all fulfilled and here, now.
What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God isn’t a physical location but the active rule and reign of God. It is like sound frequencies that not everyone can hear or light waves beyond human sight—real and powerful, whether people recognize it or not. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus, and Jesus pointed to the Kingdom. His message was simple yet profound: Repent and believe.
The word “at hand” means that the Kingdom is immediate, near, and ready to transform those who enter it. Just as autumn leaves signal a shift from summer to fall, Jesus’ presence marked the beginning of a new spiritual season. The question is: Will we recognize it and respond?
Jesus’ Call to Discipleship
When Jesus calls His first disciples in Mark 1:16-20, His words are striking: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This wasn’t a passive request—it was a radical summons. It was a call to DO something. The disciples didn’t hesitate; they immediately left everything. It wasn’t a call to affirm a certain set of beliefs. It wasn’t an invitation to pray a prayer. They understood that Jesus’ call wasn’t about status quo but about movement, action, and complete surrender. And He went on to demonstrate and prove that He was who He said He was, and had the authority to call who He wanted to call.
Authority in Teaching
Unlike the religious leaders of the time, Jesus didn’t rely on quoting others—He spoke with divine authority. If you’ve ever been a part of a book club you know that a lot of time is spent discussing and debating what an author meant. Each person has space for their interpretations and opinions. This was a lot like how scribes and rabbis approached ancient texts. They would read and then explain what they thought it meant. Jesus didn’t teach like that. His words weren’t up for debate; they were the final word. He taught with an unseen level of authority. His teaching wasn’t just informative—it was transformative.
Authority Over Demonic Forces
When a man possessed by a demon interrupts Jesus’ teaching (Mark 1:23-28), Jesus doesn’t engage in theatrics. With a simple rebuke, He commands the demon to leave. The people are astonished. He is a God of order, and though it was not yet time to reveal His full identity, His power is undeniable.
Authority Over Sickness and Brokenness
Jesus then heals Peter’s mother-in-law with a mere touch (Mark 1:29-34). No rituals, no formulas—just His compassionate power. His authority extends beyond the spiritual realm into the physical, restoring what sin and the Fall have broken.
In a single day, Jesus proves that His authority is unlike any other. He teaches with power, commands demons, and heals the sick. The evidence is clear—He is the fulfillment of prophecy, the King of the Kingdom. But evidence alone isn’t enough; it requires a response.
A Call to Action: Repent, Believe, and Follow Without Delay
Repent and Believe: A Daily Posture of Surrender
Jesus’ message is as clear today as it was when He first preached it: “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a call to a radical, life-altering response to His authority.
Too often, people treat repentance and faith as a one-time event, something they did when they "got saved." But Jesus isn't calling for a single moment of decision; He’s calling for an ongoing lifestyle of surrender. True repentance means turning away from sin and self-rule—not just feeling bad about our mistakes but intentionally choosing to walk in a different direction.
Like someone who has spent years living for their own success—climbing the corporate ladder, seeking financial security, and prioritizing personal comfort above all else; when they hear the call of Christ, repentance means they no longer make money, status, or comfort their god. Instead, they submit every area of life to Jesus, seeking His will first. Maybe they begin to view their job as a mission field, leading with integrity and using their resources to bless others rather than just hoarding wealth.
Likewise, belief isn't just intellectual agreement that Jesus is real. To believe in the gospel means to trust Jesus with everything—our decisions, our struggles, our identity, our future. It means living as though He truly is King, not just saying we believe it.
Think about a person who struggles with anxiety and control. Believing in Jesus means they learn to release their fears, trusting that God is sovereign over their circumstances. Instead of clinging to worry, they begin to pray more, seeking God’s guidance, and taking steps of faith even when they don’t have all the answers.
Repentance and belief are not just the way we enter the Kingdom; they are the way we live in it every single day.
Follow Without Hesitation: Are You Wearing Work Shoes?
When Jesus called His first disciples, they didn’t make excuses. They didn’t ask for time to think about it. They didn’t delay. They immediately left their nets and followed Him (Mark 1:18-20). Their response was immediate and total.
Contrast that with how we often respond to Jesus today. We feel His prompting to step deeper into faith, but we hesitate.
“I’ll start reading my Bible more when life slows down.”
“I know I should forgive that person, but I’m not ready yet.”
“I’d love to serve in the church, but I don’t have the time right now.”
“One day, I’ll share my faith more, but I don’t want to push people away.”
Jesus’ call isn’t for later—it’s for now. The Kingdom is already here. The invitation to follow Him isn’t an open-ended RSVP; it’s an urgent, time-sensitive calling. Every delay is a missed opportunity to experience the fullness of His power and purpose in our lives.
The question is: Are you wearing work shoes or still in sandals?
Mr. Rogers famously changed into a different pair of shoes when he arrived on set—shoes designed for comfort, for home, for relaxation. Some of us are still in spiritual sandals, lounging comfortably in a faith that demands little and disrupts nothing. But Jesus calls us to put on work shoes—to be ready to serve, to move, to go where He leads.
What does that look like in real life?
A busy parent decides to wake up earlier to pray and study Scripture, even though sleep is precious.
A teenager boldly stands up for their faith at school, refusing to compromise even when it costs them popularity.
A professional stops chasing promotions for selfish gain and instead prioritizes integrity and generosity.
A churchgoer moves from being a passive Sunday attendee to actively discipling others and investing in the community.
Following Jesus is not about convenience—it’s about commitment. The disciples left everything because they understood that Jesus was worth more than anything they could hold onto.
Jesus didn’t just claim authority—He proved it. He demonstrated it through His teaching, His power over darkness, and His healing touch. In 2025, the question remains: How will we respond? The Kingdom isn’t just coming; it is here. The call isn’t just for the past; it is for us today.
Will we walk through the doorway, or will we hesitate at the threshold? The time is fulfilled. The Kingdom is at hand. Repent, believe, and follow Him.
So, what’s keeping you from following fully?
What excuses have you been making?
Are you still in sandals, or have you put on your work shoes, ready to serve the King?
The time is fulfilled. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent. Believe. Follow. Now.