With summer ending and school
quickly approaching, teachers everywhere are readying their classrooms,
organizing lesson plans, and gearing up for another year of lecturing and
learning. As a former teacher I can remember all of the anticipation of the
first day of school. Most students would walk in the classroom with an
oversized backpack while looking up at me as they entered with curious and
anxious eyes as if to say, “Uh oh, a man!” I had numerous exceptional students
and those six years presented to me my own learning curve in life.
But there was one thing that I
never really grew accustomed to, as a teacher and classroom manager. For some
it may seem trivial with all of the other possible problems that a classroom
full of twenty- five sixth graders could conceivably do. But this one thing was
usually met with a rather forward and displeased retort from myself. When I
would tell a student to do something whether it was to pick up their supplies,
clean their desk, or turn in a paper; I expected immediate action. If the
student lingered, especially out of what appeared to be apathy, laziness, or
disdain, I would find myself pretty frustrated and give a very quick and stern
response. You see the problem was that numerous episodes of lingering students
could add up to more than an hour of wasted instruction time for that day. My
classroom required immediate action when instructed, because time was precious
and it could not be wasted.
In the book
of Mark and I am struck by how many times the author uses the word
“immediately” in reference to either the action of Jesus or the response of
those who encounter him. Below are just a few examples from chapter one:
“And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open…”
vs. 10
“The Spirit immediately
drove him out into the wilderness…” vs. 12
“And immediately
they left their nets to follow him.” vs. 18
“And immediately
he called them and they left their father Zebedee…” vs. 20
“And immediately
on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue…” vs. 21
“And immediately
the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” vs. 42
Mark speaks to us with an
emphasized urgency, highlighting the practice and presence of Jesus. In
contrast, I often catch myself lingering at the thought of approaching God in
prayer or worship. After having spent focused time with
him, I wonder why I was so hesitant in my initial approach. But Mark reminds us
that the urgency of Jesus’ work is an example for us in which we are empowered
to reflect on our own daily mission. In that reflection, let us approach
the presence of God with the same immediacy as that of our Lord Jesus.
Pastor John
