The Main Event

Mark 1:36-39 - 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." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Simon and the gang were looking for Jesus. This comes the next morning, after healing so many the night before. There were lots of needs in the city, and guess what? The next morning there were just as many! Another crowd gathered, and Simon went to get Jesus so he could get back to the ministry.

Jesus had a bit of a different view on this. Jesus felt it was time to move on. Time to go to the next village, and bring the good news of repentance!

Whenever Jesus went and preached, he reached out to those with physical needs. But helping the needy was never his primary goal--his schedule and priorities were always focused on bringing salvation. Having said that, Jesus never used preaching as a reason not to have compassion and help the poor. The two always went hand in hand.

So how about with us? What is number one with us? Do we meet people's needs, or do we share our faith? Have we made it an "either/or" question? It should be a "both/and" question.

Salvation was Jesus's number one priority. But that doesn't mean he didn't have a number two! Let's be like Jesus as we reach out to a lost world.

Pray for Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, a nation of about 5 million people. Interestingly the city lies in the southwest corner of the country bordering two other countries, Austria and Hungary. Its Old Town has architecture that goes back to the 15th century.

The church in Bratislava was planted from Prague, but in the last 8 years has gone without leaders and now the few remaining disciples don't meet regularly. The Budapest church recently targeted Bratislava as a city to replant (it's only a 3-hour drive between the two capitals).

Disciples from Budapest go to Bratislava to hold a church service every few months, and to reconnect with the scattered disciples. Please pray for the church to be replanted, and for the Slovak nation to be evangelized.