Jesus said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also,

because that is why I was sent."

Luke 4:43

Early in Jesus' ministry - after his baptism by the Holy Spirit and after his temptation in the desert - there are several references that tell us he was widely acclaimed.  Luke 4:14-15 says, "Jesus returned [after being tempted in the desert] to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.  He taught in the synagogues, and everyone praised him."  Again in Luke 4:22 we read, "All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips."

Then Jesus began to move outside his home town to nearby towns and cities.  Luke 4:31-32 says, "Then he went down to Capernaum...and on the Sabbath began to teach the people.  They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority."  In verses 36-37 it says, "All the people were amazed and said to each other, 'What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!'  And the news bout him spread throughout the surrounding area."

In the next section of Luke chapter 4 (verses 38-41), we read how Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law and then how "as the sun was setting"  the house is flooded with people seeking Jesus for healing.  Jesus indeed healed them and even cast many demons out of individuals.  The intense time of ministry appears to have lasted all night long because in Luke 4:42 it says, "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place."

Have you ever experienced such an intense yet wonderful time of ministry that continued for an extended period of time - whether hours, days, months or even years?  Isn't it a thrill to watch the Lord work and see people respond to the Holy Spirit with willing hearts and surrendered lives?  Although physically, emotionally and spiritually draining if you are one of the facilitators, such an experience in ministry is also completely invigorating!  Jesus must have had all of these thoughts and emotions, since the Bible tells us that he was fully human and experienced life as we do. (Hebrews 2:17-18 ; Hebrews 4:14-16 ; 1 Timothy 3:16 ; Romans 8:2-4 )

But Jesus also had a vastly different perspective:  He was fully Divine!  He knew the future.  He saw the events down the road and was painfully aware that he certainly would not always receive such praise from these townspeople.  No doubt some of the same ones rejoicing and praising him for healing an ailment would also hurl insults and stones at him as he carried the cross up to Golgotha.  Could it have been the weight of these realizations that led him to draw away "to a solitary place?"  When Mark records this incident in 1:35, he includes the words, "to pray."

I wonder how much time Jesus got to spend in that quiet place that morning.  Did He watch the sun that He created peek over the horizon and marvel at the vastly different perspective from this planet?  Did He add any colors to the sunrise?  Did any birds or animals come to pay homage to their Master?  Was his heart filled with compassion as He remembered those He had just healed, seeing adoration and worship and thankfulness in their eyes?

Luke 4: 42b says, "The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them."

Have you ever done ministry in a place where the people loved you so much that they didn't want you to leave them?  Where they adored you and listened to you and appreciated you?  Where they begged you to stay?

The Apostle Paul did.  (Acts 18:20 & 19:13-38)  I have as well.  Boy!  It is hard to leave those places!  And yet, there comes a time when the Lord reaffirms His calling in your heart - the larger picture of what He wants you to do - and you must say a hard goodbye.  Acts 20:36-38 records a heart-wrenching goodbye between Paul and many beloved friends.  Again in Acts 21:12-14 we see people pleading with Paul to stay with them, but he remains commited to what the Lord had told him to do.

Jesus said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."  (Luke 4:43 )

I wonder if there were those who were angry with him for leaving.  Perhaps they thought he had betrayed them.  Maybe they felt abandoned, disappointed, disheartened.  But remember, they did not see the big picture.  They did not understand Jesus' calling.  Even Paul's friends and companions could not fully comprehend what the Lord had revealed to Paul.

Likewise, I am only responsible for myself.  If the Lord has made clear His calling on my heart and life, then I alone will be held accountable for how I live out that calling.  At times there are some very difficult decisions that must be made -- good things that I must not spend time on because they will be a distraction from my true calling.  Sometimes there might be unhealthy relationships that I must cut off because I can too easily become entangled and pulled away from what I need to be doing.  May the Lord give us huge discernment for such decisions!

The Apostle Paul knew that the Lord was calling him to Rome.  And so, despite the difficulty of leaving precious loved ones behind, he moved on.

Jesus knew that his time on this earth was limited.  There were many towns, many miles to cover in order to spread the Father's message of hope and life.  If he stayed in one place - even this place where he was so well received - he would be neglecting the larger calling of God.  He knew that in order to bring salvation his ministry must culminate in a nasty crucifixion.  But, He also knew that death would be conquered through his resurrection and then that the Kingdom of God could truly be experienced both now and forevermore.

So, Jesus "set his face like flint toward Jerusalem" and persisted toward what he knew he was called to do.  (Isaiah 50:6-8 )

Lord, may we be as persistent in following what you have called us to do.  When we have to leave people we love or homes we have built or relationships we have invested our lives in, console our human hearts and remind us of your Truth.  Give us eyes to see the bigger picture of your calling.  In Jesus' mighty name I pray, Amen.