IMMEDIATELY
The Greek word used for at once or immediately is the adverb “euthus.” This word is used fifty-nine times in the New Testament. Out of these forty times are in Mark. The assumptions for its frequent use in Mark are:
1. Mark’s is a fast-paced Gospel who gives the actions in Jesus’ life brief and moves fast from one event to another. So, it is natural that he uses the term as a word of transition from one incident to another.
2. Mark presents Jesus as the Son of Man and a servant of God. An obedient servant implements the commands of the master immediately. So, Mark presents Jesus as one who does the will of God promptly.
3. The Greek “euthus” can mean “immediately” when used for time and can mean straight when used in a moral sense. Mark uses it in 1:3. “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” The Spirit led Jesus straight to test in the desert immediately after his baptism.
REFLECTION
Jesus was fast phased in his preaching and action. Within over three years, he taught and did everything that are relevant even now and for eternity. That prompted John to write: “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written” (Jn 21:25). We also have limited time to serve the Lord and humanity in this world. Let us make use of the rest of our lifetime effectively.