The Priority of Went

09. January 2008 Luke 0

Text: Luke 4:31-44 Theme: Jesus meet people’s needs as he went and he went to meet people’s greatest need. Key verses: “Then he went down to Capernaum…and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. (v. 31) “In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon…” (v. 33) “‘Be quiet!’ Jesus said sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ (v. 35) “Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.” (v. 38-39) “When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” (v. 40) “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.” (v. 42-44) What God said to me: Jesus knew why he was on the earth. He knew his mission was to minister to people and preach the gospel of hope. So he went. He went to where people were. He went long enough to accomplish his mission with them, and then he went again. He did not become comfortable and stay with one setting and one group of people because his mandate was to spread the good news to the other towns as well. Dwayne, that was Jesus’ mission: to go and go. It may not necessarily be yours. I may want you to remain at one place, in one church with one group in one community for many years. Yet, even within your one setting, you should always look for ways to go and tell. Go and tell within your community. Go when there is a sickness or physical need you can minister to. Go sometimes beyond your walls and city limits to do mission trips to other lands. Even while I have you in a holding pattern during this time in your life, find ways to go. Never content yourself with staying comfortable and sitting. Get up and go. Most importantly, notice that Jesus went early in the morning to a solitary place where he met with me. That is your first and foremost goal: to get to know me in quiet alone meetings like you are doing right now. I will show you were you are to “went.” What I said to God: Father, thank You for meeting with me this morning and for showing me the priority of went. Thank You for sending Your Son to set such an amazing example for us. Thank You that He went to the cross so I could have eternal life. May it be said of me at my funeral: He always went