“Eternal Focus”
April 6, 2008
Me: Sometimes we have to learn to see things in a different way.
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We need to see beyond the obvious to the deeper level.
You: Do you see things from a God perspective or from your perspective?
God: Today we are going to look at an instance in Jesus’ life where he made a decision to focus on the purpose of his life and ministry.
“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.” Mark 1:29-34
Jesus has been teaching in the synagogue and has left the people amazed at his teaching and his authority over the demons. As they leave the synagogue they go to Peter’s house where his mother-in-law is sick. There are no details why she is sick or how exactly Jesus heals her. As soon as she is healed, she is serving her guests.
The healing Jesus gives is instant and complete.
It again shows his authority over the all of creation.
That evening people from everywhere bring the sick and demon possessed to Jesus. They were observing the regulation of the Sabbath and therefore waited until sundown to bring them to Jesus.
It says that Jesus healed many of diseases and drove out many demons. Even thought he had been teaching and had healed already, Jesus ministered all evening to those in need.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 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.” Mark 1:35-39
Jesus goes off early in the morning to pray. He needs the strength and the comfort that comes from time with God.
Spiritual focus requires spiritual discipline.
We cannot expect to operate in the spiritual realm or live the spiritual life if we never exercise our spiritual muscles.
Family watches Biggest Loser. Every week I tell myself I need to exercise more and eat better. I don’t get into shape without getting off my couch. The same is true spiritually.
The disciples go to find Jesus. The original language uses a word that literally means they went “to hunt” Jesus. They were frustrated that when all these people were looking for him he was off praying.
Jesus understood that the reason people were looking for him was to fix their physical lives. Jesus was worried more about their soul than their bodies. They were looking for a miracle man.
Our eternal concepts are often filtered through our temporary circumstances.
We view God based on our circumstance. IF everything is good in my life, God is good. If everything is bad, God is bad or mad at me or absent.
Jesus had a much different understanding. He was focused on the heart condition of the people. That is why he left.
Scripture tells us that he left Capernaum to go and preach elsewhere. He left some people still sick and some still with demons because he had to go and fulfill his mission that God had sent him to accomplish.
Sometimes it is necessary to leave what is good for what is best.
Nar: I experienced this in our move from California to Florida.
In our lives we are faced with choices of how we spend our time, our energy and our resources. In order to be all that God has created us to be, we sometimes have to say no to other good things in our lives.
The same thing is true of churches. In church life we are always faced with choices. As a church we cannot always do everything that is good because we have to do what is best.
There are times that as a church we cannot support or do a certain ministry because it just does not fit what God has called us to do.
It is necessary to develop an eternal focus in order to see as God sees.
You: Are you looking for Jesus for your physical condition or for your spiritual condition? Are you exercising your spiritual muscles in order to live spiritual lives? Are you willing to leave what is good for what is best? Is your focus eternal or temporary?
We: How do we develop eternal focus?
• Study of God’s Word
• Prayer
• Vision
