Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. (Luke 4:42-44)
Here he is the main event. Look at him go.
When you see someone special doing remarkable things, it’s understandable that your attention will be drawn and there will be a desire to keep him. Have him stay to continue doing what he’s doing and perhaps encourage him to just do what he’s doing here.
It can be very tempting to succumb to the desires of the devoted. The acclaim for you after the things that you’ve done. The love is there, the appeal is there and there doesn’t need to be much more to have a comfortable life. What more could you need?
The reason for the times of testing is to emerge ready to deal with testing times. For Jesus there was just as much of test in acclaim in Capernaum as there was in the rejection in Nazareth. In Capernaum, though, with the crowds clamouring to find him in his isolated place to get him to stay, the appeal was to yield to demands of the devoted. What would get him to move from that?
The knowledge of the mission. Knowing who you are and why you’re here helps significantly to ensure you don’t stay any longer than you need to in any one place. When you have the audience of one to please, it keeps the focus clear. When you know why you’re sent and keep your eyes on that, then you can let the acclaim and adoration go, then you can deal with the rejection of the home-crowd. These can all be handled, because you’re focused. You know what you’re doing.
Reminding yourself of that in every situation can be the difference between a life fulfilled and fruitful or a life of regret and recrimination.
There were no regrets for Jesus because here was the main even who knew what he was doing, it’s just about watching Him go … and following His lead.
(Photo by Roman Trifonov on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 