October 24
Mark 1.35-39
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Do we feel like Jesus is either ignoring the statement of the disciples (Everyone is looking for you!), or that Jesus is saying he isn’t letting them set his path? I was looking at the statement of the disciples (Everyone is looking for you!) and noticing that Jesus is taking the message clearly to heart. If everyone is looking for him, then let’s actually go see everyone. And it means that his statement (That is why I have come) shows his agreement with the disciples. It means he is looking for everyone.
I wonder how often we think that the “everyone” is more limited than what it should be. We are certain that we should be reaching certain groups of people. We have determined that we will have a particular focus of ministry and receive the people we want to have in our midst. Forgetting that God has placed us in the midst of people already. Who are the people God is already placing around us? Where is God working around us now that we can join what he is doing?
God has a great future in mind for the church. He wants it to be able to present the message of his grace to everyone. Each portion, each congregation, can reach its geographic area. It can reach the ones they are equipped to work with. Each can have a part in reaching the ones near to us. And the whole of the church, the parts beyond regions or denominations, will be able to reach to everyone. Even though we can only do one part, the whole working at God’s mission together goes over the whole earth.
Let’s see our place. My place as one follower. Our place as one congregation. Our place as groups in a particular community or as denominations. We have a calling also to bring the gospel in real life today. Following the example of Jesus and the disciples going to nearby villages, we go nearby and expand the reach one step further than we are today. Living out the mission of God as he shows himself working with us, in us and through us.
Song – Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Prayer
Holy God, we see you leading us still today in all of life. Leading us as your people to see you in your mission of grace in which we take part. Give us eyes to see the ones before us where you call us to serve. Give us a heart to share your grace to people needing to see and hear your grace. In the name of your Son who brings us grace, Amen.