Read Mark 1:29-39.
The mission of the Church is to follow the mission of Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught His disciples, so he taught us; to bring healing and hope to all who are in need of it. As we make disciples, are we teaching them as well? Have you learned this? Sadly, many churches teach their members to be on committees and to consider that as "their ministry." Making some decisions may be a form of ministry in some settings, but making disciples is on a "whole 'nother level." The passage of today shows how Jesus met the needs of a household and then expanded the ministry to those who gathered near in search of what Jesus had to offer. Early the next day, Jesus devoted His usual time for prayer and reflection. Once discovered by His disciples they pressed Him about what was next and Jesus said that what was next was to expand the work to the surrounding towns.
How wide is our vision as a Church? How often do we look beyond what we are doing to meet our household needs, to see what we could be doing in another place? Are there not people whose lives we could bless by reaching out to them? Where would the church have been had Peter said to Jesus, "Master, stay here with us. My mother-in-law is well now, but tomorrow my wife may get sick or one of my children might be in need of something; if nothing else, think of the huge blessing my town would have if you set up your ministry here among us!" Thankfully, that did not happen and the work of Jesus Christ spread around the world, and guess what, the need continues and it may just be that it could start across the street from your Church building.
PRAYER: "Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine," to the needs that start at my front door and the front door of my church. Help us to catch the vision of sharing Jesus with all. In jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
