Purpose

Vol 13 No 2

Dear Friend,

The flow of events in the first chapter of Mark’s record of the life of Jesus sets up a remarkable statement by Jesus.

One evening the whole town of Capernaum seems to show up at the place Jesus is staying bringing their ill and suffering. Jesus heals and helps them in what had to be a long evening for him.

Yet he jumps up while it is still dark and goes to a quiet place to pray where his disciples eventually find him and say, in essence, “Come back to Capernaum, there are more sick people.”

You would think Jesus, given his compassion, would go back to town with them. Instead he says, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:38*

Now we see his heart of compassion because in the very next story in Mark we see Jesus heal a leper. However, we get the point. Jesus knew why he came, knew what he was about and understood his purpose.

Do you?

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26

With joy - E. Stanley OttCopyright 2014 E. Stanley Ott*Scripture from the NIV