Side Tracking

Mark 1: 38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

 

Jesus didn't like to be side-tracked or to lose His focus on what was important. He could have stayed with the Galilean people for the rest of His life and healed every one of their ailments. He would have been the most popular guy in the area and folks would have traveled thousands of miles to be where He was. But Christ knew that although the healing of sickness and illness was important to the crowds, it wasn't what He was primarily sent to do.

 

You and I would probably have lingered in that village and lapped up the popularity and prestige that comes with healing people. We would have been people pleasers and supplied everyone’s wants. To have the power that Christ had, would have set us up for success, fame, and fortune.

 

But Jesus had something else to accomplish. He had a serious mission, an obligation to God that would involve confronting evil, challenging lives and setting people free from sin. He had a preaching ministry that couldn't be compromised or set aside, even although it cost Him popularity and ended up bringing Him a lot of pain.

 

Sometimes our churches can be sidetracked by issues and agendas, politics and programs that are all about pleasing ourselves and pandering to our wants. When that happens, we are in danger of setting aside prophetic preaching, meaningful messages, and winning souls. We become a country club instead of a thorn in society; we become a cozy clique instead of effective influencers in our community.

 

Christ preaches through every one of us, everyday and in every situation. Where we are mistaken, we should preach confession. Where we are mistreated, we should preach forgiveness. Where we are blessed, we should preach generosity. And where we are proud, we should preach humility.

 

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, help us to focus on what You want with our lives, and not what we want You to do for our lives. Challenge our selfish ways and change our sinful hearts. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.