From every Direction

Excerpt from "Just Jesus" - thoughts from the book of Mark. Click here for the full lesson.

“... and they came to Him from every direction.” Mark 1:45

Jesus was becoming famous without having a personal marketing manager, website or TV sponsor.  He had no newspapers or billboards to display His stuff… just people who could not contain themselves.  Jesus told them not to tell but how could they not?!

He comes on to the public scene as an unknown after living a fairly quiet, unobserved life, gets baptized by John and then it all begins.  There was a report that after He was baptized, the sky parted and something like a dove landed on Him.  Some people even claimed that the voice of God was heard to be telling Him how pleased He was with His ‘Son’. (Mark 1:10-11)  No one saw Him for over a month (Mark 1:12-13) and then there were reports of Him teaching in the synagogues and preaching that the kingdom of God was at hand. (Mark 1:14-15) He started to gather a group of men to work with Him (Mark 1:16-20) and people were being healed and set free from demons. Everywhere He went, He preached and spoke with an astounding authority. (Mark 1:21-28) Everywhere He went, people were looking for Him.  His fame had spread widely throughout the region of Galilee. (Mark 1:28, 37)

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It was God’s Time! Jesus was out of the box and out of the shoot  (rodeo shoot, race track gate).  He had finally come forward knowing that it was the right time to do so, but surprisingly (to others) nothing was happening quietly or without provoking a response.  He had a job to do and declared it openly.

“And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.”   Mark 1:38

The people were thronging to Him in multitudes (whatever number that is!): 

• the rich – the poor
• the sick –  the healthy
• the thrill seekers –  the truth seekers
•  those looking for a Saviour – those looking for what they could get
• those who wanted Him – those who wanted to destroy Him
  

Every position of status, health and mental state came to Him.  Every age, gender, and origin of birth flocked to Him.  They were literally coming from every possible direction!  It was God’s time.  It was the right time for the cause of Jesus to be fulfilled.

When it is the right time for something; when you are sitting in the will of God you will not have to strive to see something accomplished.  His favour will be on it and it will simply flourish.

Have you ever been impatient to see a dream fulfilled?  Have you ever had a cause that burned so deep within you that you could not stand the ‘wait of Wisdom’?  (1 Corinthians 1:30)  Have you ever impulsively run out ahead of ‘Wisdom’ and caused havoc to the dream?  What have you learnt through these moments of truth?

We must allow the timing of God to play out in our lives.  Allow Him to birth His cause when the season is ripe. 

"We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails. " (Proverbs 19:21 - MSG)

Here are some more scriptures to consider:  John 7:8  & Romans 5:6

Jesus was causing a lot of commotion! 
As He launched into ministry, He freaked a lot of people out!  In particular, the church of the day (the Jewish synagogue) and His family were the ones who seemed to struggle the most.  This was a dramatic season of change and those who could not move with it could not really see or accept what was happening.

Jesus explained that new wine could not be held by old wine skins. (Mark 2:22)  If the people were not willing to change, to open their minds & spirits and become new, the effect that He would have on them would be anything but saving & pleasant.  Jesus was truth expanded and the mystery of God explained and yet more profound to the human eye than ever before!  He was God made flesh.  God revealed.  Take a look at John 1:14 and Romans 16:25-27.

Jesus was truth expanded and the mystery of God explained and yet more profound to the human eye than ever before!

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