Jesus Came for This Reason (#227 of 365+)

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they
found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come’” (Mark 1:35-38)

A few years ago a casual acquaintance of mine asked me to attend a special church service with her. She excitedly told me about the guest speaker from out-of-town who reportedly had the gift of healing. He was such a huge draw that her church planned this event around his schedule every year. They would take up a special offering at the end of the service to cover his expenses and speaker’s fees.

I went with her to the healing service and I couldn’t have been more disappointed. The speaker didn’t speak for long before he was yelling at the top of his lungs to get the audience pumped up. He told them to step out in faith with their monetary donations if they wanted to receive healing in their lives. When people came forward for healing he would press on their foreheads and they would fall back into someone’s arms. There was never a confirmation of any healing but every time he did that the entire auditorium would go wild with applause. In all the noise and commotion that evening I don’t remember ever hearing anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Imagine what it would be like if that speaker could actually heal on demand. He wouldn’t be able to catch a flight to speak in another city. He’d be lucky to make it out his door on any given morning. There would be 24-hour paparazzi trying to take his picture… reporters trying to get that exclusive interview… and hordes of people with every disease or disability known to man.

That’s kind of what it was like for Jesus Christ in today’s verses. He had been healing people and casting out demons left and right. Early in the morning, before the crowds had a chance to gather outside the door again, he went off to have a quiet time alone. He must have been so exhausted.

When they finally found him he said, “Let’s go somewhere else. I need to preach. That’s why I came.”

The Lord’s mission wasn’t to provide perpetual healthcare for the region. He had come because a spiritual disease had introduced death into the world. Everyone was sick with sin and he was our only hope. As Joni wisely noted, “Whenever people missed this—whenever they started coming to him to have their pains and problems removed—the Savior backed away.”

God the Father loved us so much he sent Jesus to save us. That’s the good news of the gospel.

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 NAS)

“That is why I have come.”

Lord, may my family and my church never forget the most important message isn’t that you heal diseases or restore finances… but that you give us life itself. Our souls aren’t wealthy and healthy until we’re in a relationship with You. Thank you for your extravagant Gift. Amen.