But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” – Mark 1:38 (NKJV)
Jesus had just begun His earthly ministry. Having been baptised by John, He was immediately led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus did not allow Himself to be distracted from His purpose, even in the face of temptation. He came to reconcile man back to God. He understood His mission and was fully committed to fulfilling it.
Crowds of people followed Him, begging Him to stay as He went from town to town because He was healing their sicknesses and casting out demons. But He said to them, “…I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent (Luke 4:43).
Jesus, our Redeemer, lived and died to redeem us; as the Psalmist David says, He redeems our life from destruction (Psalm 103:4). He has made us alive when we were spiritually dead and separated from Him because of our transgressions. Everyone needs to hear this Good News, more so in these perilous times when even those who believe are turning away and have stopped looking for that blessed hope because of the persecutions and great trials that they encounter.
As disciples of Christ, we also often go through great trials, but we are reminded by the apostle Paul “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 – KJV). We have a mission on earth, a mission to go “into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15-16). Let us take this mission seriously. Let us give as many people as we can the opportunity to be a part of the redemption story.
Prayer
Lord, may our hearts be burdened for the lost to such an extent that we do not cease to call their names before you, and we seize every opportunity to share Christ, the Redeemer, with them. May the seeds sown through our words and actions find ready soil to bring increase to Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 103:1-6; Ephesians 2:1-2
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 20:5-14; I Corinthians 10:14-33; I Corinthians 11:1; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; 2 Chronicles 6; 2 Chronicles 7:1-10
