Why not capitalize on success? This must have been in Peter’s mind as he tried to find Jesus after a long night of healing. The day before, Jesus had taught and cast out a demon in the synagogue. Then, it was over to Peter’s home, where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. The law limited how far Jews could travel on a Sabbath. So when the Sabbath ended at sundown, many brought the ill for Jesus to heal. In fact, the whole city came out.
After this exhausting night, Jesus went out to pray. People were gathering at Peter’s home with more for Jesus to heal. Thus, Peter was out looking for Jesus. In our 21st-century mindset, Jesus should use past success to increase His popularity. But Jesus had a curious response to Peter. Mark 1: 38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”[1]
Jesus Stayed Over in Samaria
Jesus’ answer is curious, considering that He had just come from Samaria, where He stayed for two days at their request. Now, He has only been in Capernaum for a day, and the people wanted more of Him, but He moved on to other places. Why?
John 4: 39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” [2]
The Samaritans sought Jesus for who He was. The woman at the well piqued their interest, and they seemed to have come with open hearts. When Jesus taught for two more days, they believed in Jesus and knew He was the Savior of the World.
Jesus Moved On
Jesus knew the shallowness of the people’s hearts. In Capernaum, many came for entertainment, and others came only for healing, but few were there to hear the words of Jesus. Unbelief causes a lack of appetite for the Word of God. Why not capitalize on success? Jesus was not going to let popularity change His priorities.
Jesus would continue to travel and preach so that many could hear God’s Word. Mark 1: 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. [3] His primary mission was to preach the Good News to as many people as possible.
We must examine our motives as we come to Christ. Are we there just for what Jesus can do for us? Do we only desire something that will make our lives easier and more pleasant? Jesus wants our whole hearts. He wants us to have a close relationship with Him. This may require sacrifice on our part and will not make us popular with the world. But as we follow Jesus more closely, we will be blessed with peace, strength to overcome, and hope for the future.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/power-over-the-demonic
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.