Monday, 6/6/2011
Reading: Mark 1:29-39
Reflection: There is a lesson in this day's reading that is necessary for me...and for all those called to follow Jesus and "do the works" that He has prepared for us. Jesus has just spent a great deal of time healing many people. He healed Peter's mother-in-law, and then healed many people of various diseases. In fact, he healed so many that we are told that "the whole town" had gathered to watch what was happening. After a long day of such activity, Jesus rises early in the morning and goes away to pray. That, alone, is instructive. It reminds us that we are never too busy to make time for prayer. But the real lesson for me is the difference in response between Jesus and the disciples when the people come back for more miracles. The disciples hunt Jesus down, trying to get him to come back and do more miracles. After all, this is what the people want. But Jesus says that it's time to move on to other towns and villages and preach the gospel because, as Jesus puts it, "that is why I came." Now, while this teaches us many things, one central idea is that Jesus never forgot why He was sent and never allowed popularity or the demands of people to turn Him away from that purpose. So, as we go about doing our ministries, it is important to remember what God has called us to do and remain focused on that ministry. We may be invited to many other good ministries, but to turn from what God has called us to do simply to please the crowd, is a big mistake. Let's make sure we know what God has called us to do, and let's stay focused on it.
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