The Word — The need does not constitute the call

Published 8:00 am Sunday, January 16, 2022

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We previously discovered in Psalm 90:12 to evaluate our immortality. As Christ Followers we do have a certain grasp: we know we have limited days on earth, we know that one day we will see God face to face and we know that we should be alert to how we spend time on earth. Jesus teaches; “The need, does not constitute the call.”

In the Word, I noticed something extraordinary. Mark Chapter 1 gives us an account of Jesus casting out a demon possessed man right in the middle of a church service. When the service had ended Jesus and the disciples went to Simon and Andrew’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick. Jesus healed her. The story spread throughout the county and people wanted to know just who he was. “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. 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.”

Jesus could have gone back to town to all the sick and all the demon possessed. There was need. Jesus was keeping his calling in the front of the line. It was a priority that he did what his father had asked him to do. He left to go to other places where the gospel had not been preached; “This is why I have come.”

The Word makes it clear that we will always have the poor, sick and yes even demon possessed. Deuteronomy 15:11 explains because of man’s disobedience this problem will only be resolved when Christ returns. The Church is to take care of its own, but the world does not follow Christ. We do. The world will always be in need.

Jesus knew that he had to keep the main thing-the main thing. He had to preach the gospel. Jesus glorified and magnified his Father everywhere he went. We are commissioned with the same; Matthew 28 explains.

This week may we not allow needs to get in the way of our calling. May we glorify God every single day!

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@ gmail.com.