Jesus Preaches in Galilee

 

Mark 1:35 – 45

 

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.  And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”   And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”   And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

It is not going to be an easy thing to put yourself in the story, but if I was Simon or the other three, I’m very confused at this point.  Are the people looking for Jesus the Messiah or do they want someone to wow them and heal their sick?  It is important that we understand that Jesus who was God in the flesh, did not look to Himself but to the Father.  He changes not and we see all through His ministry how Jesus sought out a desolate place to spent time with the Father.  Yet one as weak as me often forgets how much I need the Lord and run to Him.

If you are a bottom-line person then Luke’s gospel 19:10 is the reason Jesus came, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  Now Simon and the others did not understand that yet, and they said everyone is looking for you, and Jesus responded, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”

 

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”   Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.”   And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.   And Jesus^[i] sternly charged him and sent him away at once,  and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”   But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Now this may not be as hard as putting on Simon’s shoes, but now you are the Leper, you, first of all, cannot recall the last person who touches you, for you have to howler out to all that you are unclean, a Leper, with no hope of getting well.  Not only did Jesus listen to you, but He also touches you and makes you clean, your back to being a part of the community.  What will you do; now let us get real, you were no different than a Leper, control by sin and Jesus touched you and set you free.  That what Jesus came to do, and you have experienced it, now what have you done or you like the Leper?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice