Mark 1:32-38 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. (33) And all the city was gathered together at the door. (34) And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. (35) And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (36) And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. (37) And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. (38) And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
In the early stages of Jesus ministry, he spent a lot of time performing miracles; specifically healing all manner of illnesses. In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, leading up to verse 38, Jesus is recorded as doing multiple miracles:
1. Cast Demon out of man at the Synagogue (vrs 23-28)
2. Healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever (29-31)
3. Countless People healed at Peter’s mother-in-law’s house (32-34)
After the marathon session of healing diseased people, Jesus got up early the next morning to get some alone time and to pray. While away, it appears that the news of his presence in that town had spread and men began to search for him once again. If I had to speculate, the notoriety of his healings had spread overnight and there was another crowd of people wanting to be healed gathered. So the disciples sought to bring him back. But Jesus had other ideas.
Jesus’ response is interesting. Instead of going back to presumably heal more people, Jesus chooses to go to the next town to Preach! Why would he leave one crowd already gathered only to go to a new place where you will have to develop the crowd? Because Jesus wanted to focus on preaching!
At times, Jesus was overwhelmed with requests for healings like we see in todays text. But regardless of what others say, Jesus did not come to earth to heal people of physical infirmities. He came to heal people of their Spiritual diseases! To do that, it will take changing people’s hearts, changing people’s minds and changing people’s lives. For that to happen, it will take convincing them through PREACHING! He specifically said that it was the preaching that was the purpose of his coming. The apostle Paul confirmed that sentiment.
Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
If Jesus thought that his message was that important, maybe we ought to pay attention to it and heed it!
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Reflecting His SON,
Dennis Hogan
Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ
1804 Sam Stewart Dr.
Radcliff, KY 40160
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward
their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.
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