Saturday, December 24, 2016

The Humility of Jesus


The birth of Christ will be celebrated around the world on Sunday.  For many it will be a time of partying and very little thought of the true meaning of Christ’s birth.  One aspect of his birth that set the stage for his entire life is the humility that God ordained for the birth as well as the entire life of His Son, the Savior of the world.

He was born into a family that was not wealthy.  Joseph was a carpenter and made a humble living.  When they went to the temple to bring their offering, he only gave a bird which was allowed for people who were poor.

His mother Mary was an ordinary young girl.  When she became pregnant out of wedlock, the locals probably began to ask questions or accuse her of having premarital relationships.  Joseph was caught in the middle and people probably thought badly of him because of Mary’s pregnancy.

The birth of Jesus was not in a place anyone would choose to have a baby.  The humility of a stable which most likely was simple a cave in the wall was far beneath what a future King would deserve.  It was most likely a place where animals were kept. Not a clean place that is depicted in the manger scenes we see at this time of year.  It probably was filled with the stench of the animals along with their excrement.  A sanitary place fit for a king, it was not. Yet God ordained that he be born in Bethlehem and in a very humble place.

The first to hear of the Saviors birth were shepherds.  Shepherds were not viewed as important people.  Their job was a low level job, a job most people would never want. Shepherds were the lowest level of society. Shepherds were so despised that they couldn’t even testify in court.But to these outcasts, God through his angels announced to them the birth of Jesus the Messiah.  The first visitors of the King were the lowly shepherds who were excited to see him and then tell others about him.

Later the 3 kings came to give their worship and gifts to Jesus.  When Herod learned of the new king, he was enraged that his kingdom would be overthrown and thus ordered the death of all males 2 years old or less.  As a result Jesus and his parents became refugees who fled to Egypt for their safety.  A king becoming a refugee, another sign of the humility of God.  He could have commanded his angels to protect him where he was living but instead chose to have his Son flee for his life.  Jesus spent the early years of his life as a refugee in hiding, how humbling is that for the Savior and Son of God.

His early years after returning from Egypt were as far as we know just ordinary years of development.  He was raised in a poor home and learned the trade of carpentry with his father.  At 12, the age of recognition of his manhood, he went with his parents and relatives to the temple.  He had a new focus for his life which was being about his heavenly Father’s business.  His parents must have been shocked when he gave them this reply.  Yet he did not make a public announcement of his true identity but humbly continued to work with his father and live a normal life until he was 30 years old.  What must it have been like for Jesus to know his true identity and purpose in coming in human form and not be able to say anything until the time was right?  His humanity was firmly established such that when he began his public ministry many questioned how he could be the Messiah when they knew him as a son of Mary and Joseph.  His identity was in question throughout his life not only by those who knew him as he grew up but also by the religious leaders.  Jesus remained humble throughout his ministry.  He did not demand special treatment from those who were with him nor did he have a huge ministry center named after him.  He simply walked among the common people, ministered to people who were despised and rejected such as prostitutes, tax collectors, and lepers. He lived as an invited guest in the homes of others who followed him, ate the food that was given to him and kept a low profile as long as he could to avoid creating chaos among those who were increasing in number as they witnessed his miracles and listened to his teachings.

His teachings came from his father, he only did what his father revealed to him to do.  He lived in submission to his heavenly father and did not act on his own. For most people they pride themselves on being independent, not really needing anyone but are content to be self-sufficient.  We want to be the boss of our own lives yet Jesus was not interested in doing his own thing but doing what his father wanted him to do.  He was tempted to do his own thing just as we are yet did not give in to the temptations. 

As his time drew near to go to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover with his disciples, he entered the city riding on a donkey, a beast of burden and not a beautiful horse or chariot that would be the normal way a king would enter a city.

 They say that Alexander the Great entered India in a grand procession of 200 painted elephants, 200 soldiers on black horses and 200 lions surrounding him as he sat on a golden throne atop an ivory chariot proclaiming "I am the Lord of the universe. I conquered the world. Now I will conquer the stars". Alexander died at 33 and today owns nothing.

When he celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, he washed the feet of each one of them.  This was a task of a servant.  The disciples failed to find someone to do this lowly task, but Jesus humbled himself to do this for them as an example of what he expected of them in the future.  Jesus had taught them that the greatest in his kingdom would have to be the servant of all.  This was radical thinking and contrary to the way of life the disciples had witnessed with their leaders as well as the Roman government.  The fact that Jesus would wash the feet of Judas whom he knew would soon betray him, demonstrates the extreme humility of Jesus.

His arrest in the garden is also an example of his humility in how he responded.  He did not defend himself or try to flee from an unjust situation but submitted himself to the will of his father which would soon lead to his death.  Jesus knew what was coming and humbly submitted himself to his father. He accepted his role as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind and followed through with the painful process of the trial, false accusations, beatings, ridicule, mocking and intense physical pain.  At any point he could have stopped the abuse and been liberated by the host of angels who were watching.  Yet he endured it all for you and I.

His death on the cross was a very humbling experience.  This form of death was for notorious criminals and was one of the cruelest forms of punishment.  Death often took many days to complete.  Jesus was viewed in public naked as a form of humiliation by the soldiers. 

The birth of Jesus should always remind us of his life of humility.  He came to earth in the form of a human being and became a servant rather than a political or religious leader who could command respect.  God chose a different way to enter into the world, a way that had little appeal to anyone seeking a position of power or authority. 

As we reflect on the birth of Christ, may we always be reminded that we too are called to be humble servants to mankind.  We live in a world that seeks after fame and recognition.  It is a world that pushes people out of their way to get what they want.  Christ modeled to us from the very beginning of his life, that greatness comes through humble service to God and man.   May our lives be ones of service in which we do not care if we are recognized for what we do. 


The Making of a disciple, part 3


The Making of a disciple Part 3

Mar 2:1-17  And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven. “Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,  "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the paralytic—"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"  He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.   And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.   And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus the healer and forgiver of sins

Jesus fame continued to grow throughout the region of Galilee.  When he returned after visiting several towns, preaching the good news and healing the sick and casting out demons he was ready for a break.  Once the people heard he was back in Capernaum, they flocked to the house he was staying at.  Jesus did not send them away but began to teach them.  His teaching is interrupted by four men and a paralytic who wanted desperately to see Jesus.  The only access they had was through the roof.

We see in the four heroic men several things that are worth noting.

1.     Their love for the paralytic.  They made it possible for him to be in the presence of Jesus.  Love is an action word and these four men demonstrated their love by carrying him to Jesus.  When we love people we are willing to make sacrifices for them.

2.     Their determination to bring their friend to Jesus that caused them to tear the roof off of the home.  You have to wonder what the owner of the home was thinking when his roof started to fall apart.  Yet we do not read anything about the owner’s reaction due to the tremendous miracle that took place.

3.     The faith of the friends and the paralytic.  They knew that Jesus could heal the paralytic.  They would not have made all the effort to bring him to Jesus if they were not sure.  Tearing off the roof of a home that was not theirs could have been a risky move.  They were willing to suffer any consequence.  They only wanted the opportunity for their friend to be set free from his condition.

Jesus’ Surprise and Shocking Statement about himself

Jesus surprised the crowd and disturbed the scribes when he made the statement, “Son your sins are forgiven.”

No one was expecting him to say that.  They probably thought Jesus was going to command the man to walk.

For Jesus to make this statement was to equate himself with God.  He was making very clear his true identity as one equal to God. When the scribes questioned him and accused him of blasphemy he gave them a question.

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven, ‘or to say ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

The response of Jesus reflects the Jewish view that forgiveness of sins must precede physical healing.  Whether or not this particular disease was the consequence of sin, Jesus went to the heart of the matter.  Sin and disease are effects of evil, and Jesus reveals God’s opposition to evil in any way it may manifest.  His goal is to bring complete wholeness to people.

Jesus proved his authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic.  The scribes could not say anything.  He silenced them with his act of healing, something they could not do.

The people were amazed and glorified God.  They had never seen anything like this.

Jesus the Teacher

Jesus takes advantage of the opportunity to teach the people by going out in a boat while the people were on shore.  The acoustic effect of the water made it easier for his voice to be heard by the crowd.  It also gave him a barrier between himself and the people.

Jesus demonstrate his love for people by healing the paralytic but he also used this miracle to clarify his identity and why he came to earth.  Only through Jesus can we receive forgiveness of our sins.  John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.  The scribes and Pharisees did not receive Jesus as the Lamb of God.  They did not know his true identity and rejected him as their Messiah. 

What the disciples are learning about Jesus.

The disciples were taking all of this in and I am sure were trying to understand who Jesus was.  They have seen him as a miracle worker, a teacher who taught with authority and anointing, as one who had power of the demonic realm and now they learn that he can forgive sins.

Another radical move of Jesus

Jesus next act was to call Levi, a tax collector to follow him.  Tax collectors were not respected by the public.  They often took advantage of collecting extra money for their services. They were grouped with sinners and signify those people who by vocation or morality place themselves outside the society of Gods covenant people.  For Jesus to have fellowship with such people would bring Him into conflict with the Pharisees.

Jesus crossed over the Jewish boundary lines when he met with the sinners and tax collectors.  These people where not even to be taught the statutes of God, since their vocation and life-style made them ritually unclean.

What the disciples are learning

The disciples are now witnessing another aspect of the character of Jesus.  He was willing to interact with groups of people who were outcasts and held in contempt.  Jesus demonstrated his love for people who were not accepted by the Jewish authorities.  He saw in Levi potential to be one of his chosen disciples and took the time to be with him and invite him into his inner circle of 12.

We have to see the potential in people like Jesus did rather than focus on the problems they may have.  He was willing to risk his reputation among the religious people because he knew who he was and he was more concerned about his obedience to God that the praise of the religious leaders.  John Maxwell says that we must put a 10 on people’s foreheads instead of a 3 or lower.  We have to value people and believe that God can make changes in them as they come to know Christ and allow him to transform their lives.

Can you imagine what Levi felt like when Jesus called him to follow him.  He knew he was rejected by the people yet here was a man who wanted him to be one of his followers, his disciple.  Jesus knew how to bring out the best in others by believing in the potential of the person.

Doctor Jesus

The final thing the disciples learn about Jesus is that he likened himself to a doctor who came to help those who were in need.  He could not ignore the sinners who were publicly acknowledged as such just as a doctor cannot refuse to treat the sick.  He came to seek and to save those who were lost in their sins.

The disciples’ minds were being opened to a new reality of love and forgiveness.  Jesus was not in a ministry of condemnation but of healing people who were physically and spiritually sick.  He went out of his way to minister to people who were despised and rejected.  He honored people who had faith to believe in him. He spent time with people labeled as sinners and unclean.  He broke the rules of the Pharisees and scribes to show the people the heart of God.

Jesus is revealing himself to his disciples.  People must first believe in the leader before they will commit to follow him. As leaders of others we have to demonstrate our character through our conduct if we want people to believe in us and follow our leadership. The disciples were learning new principles through the teachings and actions of Jesus.  This was an intense time of learning for them and even though they did not understand everything that was happening, it was being planted in their minds and the Holy Spirit would bring these things to their remembrance in the days to come.

The Call to discipleship


The Call

Mar 1:16  Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Mar 1:17  And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

Mar 1:18  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Mar 1:19  And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.

Mar 1:20  And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

The Call: to follow, to fish, to fix

Jesus chose 12 men to be his closest followers. He conducted no job interviews, did not check their backgrounds or do anything that we would normally happen when choosing a team to work with you.

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.  He was a wild man that must have drawn attention just by looking at his clothing.  He did not try to smooth talk people into repentance and getting their hearts prepared for the Messiah to arrive.  Perhaps the 12 disciples had some information about the coming Messiah that made it easier for them to make a decision to leave the fishing business in the hands of their father and follow Jesus. 

The calling of God upon our lives is to abandon our plans even though they may seem good to follow the Lord wherever he leads us.  The 3 fisherman, Peter, James and John along with Andrew had no idea what they were getting into when they left their businesses to become a disciple. 

Jesus simply ask them to “Follow me”.  Jesus assumed responsibility for them if they would follow him.  He would be investing his life into them and through this they would be transformed into “Fishers of Men.” The first requirement Jesus gave them was to simply follow him.  They were to go with him wherever he went, observe what he was doing and learn what he was going to teach them.  He would be their model and demonstrate the ministry that they would soon be doing on their own. 

In our relationship with Jesus we have to always remember that our first obligation is to follow him.  To allow him to lead us where we are to go, what we are to do and how we are to do it.

Jesus modeled how to pray, how to heal the sick and raise the dead, how to deal with religious people who lead people astray, how to take care of the needs of people, how to love the people who were rejected by society, how to trust his father in difficult situations, how to overcome temptation, how to forgive, how to honor others, how to stay focused on the mission, and how to teach God’s word and the principles to live by.

Jesus was one who preached what he practiced rather than one who tried to practice what he preached.

His life is our example, our model that we must follow.  We have to have Christ living in us as Paul stated in

 Galatians 2.20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The words of Christ are to live in us.

 Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

His words must saturate our lives so we can become imitators of him.

 We are to imitate Christ and let our lives be an example for others to follow.

2Th 3:7  For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,

 Paul knew that he had to walk in obedience to the leadership of Jesus.  He was not interested in pursuing his own desires but submitted his life to accomplish the mission Jesus had given him and to seek him for guidance on how to carry out the mission.

Fish for men

After the call to “follow me” Jesus told them they would have a new identity and focus for their lives.  Jesus was going to make something different of their lives.  The fishing business was their livelihood but they were going to be made into something very different as they allow Jesus to make them into what he wanted them to be.



As we follow Jesus we have the assurance that he is going to make something different of our lives.  We become a new creation in him.  The old life has passed away and he begins the process of transformation. He exchanges our life for his life.  He orders our circumstances to bring about the changes that he wants us to experience.  He has good things planned for us and sometimes we go through difficulties that are designed to bring about the changes he desires of us.  He is molding our lives each day through our experiences, our interaction with the Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the people he has placed in our lives. He is at work in us to make us into the image of Jesus.  Our awareness of what he is doing and our cooperation with him.  He gives us the freedom to make the choice to follow him and allow him to make us or go our own way.

The Navy Seals have a rigorous training program that is designed to eliminate anyone who does not have what they feel is necessary to be in this elite group.  The trainees at any time can ring the bell that tells everyone that they are no longer in the program. We too have this option but in choosing to ring the bell we miss out on what God has for us in the situation.  Don’t ring the bell! Believe God is working in you and will bring you through whatever is happening to make you more like him.

The disciples were going to be given a new identity and a new purpose for their lives.  Jesus was going to make them fishers of men. The focus of their life would now be something completely different.  You have to wonder what the disciple where thinking when Jesus made this comment.  What could this possible mean to become a fisher of men?  How would they do it, what would they do with the men they caught?  I images they had a lot of questions in their minds about what it meant to become a fisher of men.

Over time they would understand this new spiritual language Jesus was using to communicate with them.  They would become evangelists who would win thousands of people to the Lord and make them disciples like they were trained to be. A fisherman in the time of Christ did not have an easy job.  They worked long hours and the best fishing was at night.  They had to make sacrifices if they wanted to be successful in the business.  It was hard work, manual work that demanded a lot from them.  They had to cast their nets throughout the night with the hope that they were in the right spot to bring in a large catch of fish.  They were probably not successful 100% of the time but they continued to do what they knew they had to do to get results.  As a fisher of men they would experience times of harvest and fruitfulness in their labors but also times when it was very difficult to share the gospel message to certain groups of people. Fishing was not a complicated business at that time.  It was repetitious work and the results were not guaranteed.  To be a fisher of men would require work on their part, faithfulness to share the gospel message and confidence in the Holy Spirit to take the words we share and make them alive in the person receiving them.  We don’t control the results but we can present the message in the clearest way we know to help them understand what Christ has done for them.

The calling to be a “fisher of men” did not change throughout their lives.  These disciples carried out their mission until their death.  We can never lose sight of this calling each one of us has to be sharing the gospel and modeling the gospel to others.  We have to be active in being a fisherman for the Lord and look for opportunities to share with others.

Fix the hurting

The other aspect of the life of a fisherman was that they had to mend the nets that were torn.  When I grew up my family was involved in seining the lake where we live to get rid of the unwanted fish.  We were part of a Sportsman Club that bought a huge net, over a thousand feet long that was placed out in the lake.  The net was drawn in by a rope that was wrapped around a machine that had a revolving part.  We would pull in one side of the net and then move to the other side to pull it in. It was a long process to get the huge net to shore.  Always the net would get torn and we would spend a lot of time afterward repairing the net.

Repairing the net to me is like repairing the lives of people that come to Christ who are hurt and who need someone to help them with the healing process.  As fishers of men we have to take care of those who are hurting and help them mend the wounds they have suffered. We all come to Christ with damage from the past.  Sin has a way of destroying our lives and causes great damage to our spirit, soul and body.  The call to follow and fish is also a call to fix broken lives with the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We live in a fallen world that is becoming more fallen do to the increase of evil through the media.  Pornography is just one area the enemy is using to corrupt the minds of children.  One of the videos we watched in the Leadership school stated the children as young as 8 years old are now accessing porn via the internet. Their minds are being destroyed at an early age and their abilities to relate in a healthy manner with the opposite sex are being damaged.  Abuse of children by adults, sexual identity confusion, depression and suicide are not seeing improvement in the statistics.  There are many nets to be mended as we make Disciples of Christ. The good news is that there is great freedom available to all who come to Christ.  He is the healer and we can become his healing hands as we involve our lives with those who have been hurt.




The process of becoming a disciple


The disciples of Jesus went through several learning processes as they accepted the invitation and the call to become part of a select group of individuals who would carry out the mission of spreading the gospel message to the world as they knew it.  They first were followers, then trained to become fishers of men and finally menders of broken lives.

The Call to leave all was the first step in becoming one of Jesus’ disciples. His cause was more important than any job that they currently had or would have in the future.  Jesus was inviting them to follow him.  His invitation meant that:

                He would take care of their needs

                He would guide them

                He would teach them his ways of ministry

The followers were given a new identity: They would become disciples of Jesus

Along with a new identity came a new purpose: They would become fishers of men, healers of broken lives

Jesus was their model, they were to learn from him and follow his example of ministry.

Capernaum Ministry

Mar 1:21  And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.

Mar 1:22  And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mar 1:23  And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

Mar 1:24  "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God."

Mar 1:25  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"

Mar 1:26  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

Mar 1:27  And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

Mar 1:28  And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

What did the disciple learn from this experience?

1.        His teaching different, he taught with authority.  The scribes just quoted the teaching of the rabbi’s.  Jesus’ teaching was fresh, new perspective, truth

a.       Our teaching should be from revelation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  We should preach what we practice as well as practice what we preach.

b.      People hunger for truth that is spoken with authority and conviction.

2.       His supernatural power over unclean spirits. 

a.       The person with the unclean spirit was in the synagogue.  Unexpected place?



b.      The demons recognized his true identity and his mission: Son of God, He came to destroy the works of the devil and his demonic forces.  The scribes and Pharisees did not believe what the demons recognized as truth.

c.       As Christ’s disciples we have been given authority over the demonic realm through the name of Jesus.



Peter’s Mother in law

Mar 1:29  And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Mar 1:30  Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.

Mar 1:31  And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.



What did the disciples learn?

1.        Jesus had compassion for the sick, he cared for his disciples family members.

2.       Jesus had power over sickness

3.       Jesus allowed Peter’s mother in law to serve them.  He allow her to honor him through her hospitality. Refusing hospitality was offensive to the person offering it.

4.       As Christ’s disciples we have authority over sickness and disease.  The power of God was released in Jesus without him saying anything.

The ministry to the people

Mar 1:32  That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.

Mar 1:33  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

Mar 1:34  And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

What the disciples learned

1.        Jesus was not bound by time.  It was late, getting dark and he took the time to heal the sick and deliver the demonized people.

2.       He had compassion for the people and the power to set them free.  He did not refuse to minister to them.

3.       We have to have the same compassion Jesus had for people and be willing to extend ourselves to minister to them. 

Jesus’ prayer life

Mar 1:35  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.

Mar 1:36  And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,

Mar 1:37  and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."



We do not know how long Jesus spent healing the sick and delivering the demonized the night before.  It may have been a short night of sleep for him but he got up early to pray.

What did the disciples learn?

1.        The demands of the people or the influence of crowds did not keep Jesus from his time of prayer.  The connection with his Father was more important than his ministry to the people. 

2.       Ministry is a 24/7 job.  You can always find something more that needs to be done and if we are not careful our personal time with God can quickly be consumed by other things even good things.

3.       Martin Luther stated that he had so much work to do that he had to spend several hours in prayer before doing the work.  We often reverse this by cutting short our time of prayer because of all the activities we have planned.

4.       Our first ministry must always be to God.  Spending time with him daily in prayer and in his word are non-negotiables for disciples.  We have to set aside the time, it must become a discipline.

Jesus continues his mission

Mar 1:38  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."

Mar 1:39  And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mar 1:40  And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

Mar 1:41  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Mar 1:42  And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Mar 1:43  And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,

Mar 1:44  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."

Mar 1:45  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. Mar 1:38  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."

Mar 1:39  And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mar 1:40  And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

Mar 1:41  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Mar 1:42  And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Mar 1:43  And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,

Mar 1:44  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."

Mar 1:45  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.

What did the disciples learn?

1.       Jesus stayed focused on his calling to preach the good news of the Kingdom.  The crowds were coming to him but he wanted to visit all the towns and not be contained in one area.

2.       He went to the synagogues where he would have a more receptive audience.  He knew where the fish were located and that is where he went.

3.       The laws regarding treatment of lepers did not apply to Jesus.  He touched the untouchables and brought healing to them.  Lepers had to stay away from the people, ring a bell and announce in a loud voice their condition.

4.       No one is untouchable or unreachable.



The disciples were on a fast track of learning from Jesus.  It had to be exciting to be with him to see all the miracles and listen to his teachings.  Jesus was modeling ministry and it would not be long until they would have their opportunity to replicate his ministry. 

We see in Jesus:

1.       An anointed teacher who taught with authority

2.       His power over demonic forces.

3.       His power over sickness and disease

4.       His compassion for people in need and willingness to minister to them at an inconvenient time.

5.       His time with God was a priority, more than ministry

6.       He stayed focused on what he was called to to.

7.       He knew where the fish were located and made it a practice to go there.

8.       No one was untouchable or unreachable.  He had compassion for all people in spite of their conditions.