“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” – Mark 1:1

As I read this passage again, I was struck by the thought of how important it is to have a sense of history when thinking about Jesus. our faith is built on what we know which gives us confidence for what we do not know and for what we hope for.

For many people today, life is about instant reality. The past and future are of little importance. What is happening now is preeminent. Yet, the now is forever disappearing.

Leadership principles call a would be leader to be focused on the present and not be distracted. This can be pushed to an extreme and can create a self-centered, narrow-minded leader who knows where he is now, but hasn’t a clue where he is going.

When we look at our lives with Christ, we find perspective and great value in a sense of history.

Past: Ephesians 1:4,5

  • “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…”
  • “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ…”

Present: Ephesians 1:7-9

  • “In him we have redemption through his blood”
  • “the forgiveness of sins”
  • “he made known to us the mystery of the will”

Future: Ephesians 1:13-14

  • “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…”

How is your view of your personal history intertwined with the Christ of history?