Post by Mark on Oct 30, 2008 4:05:06 GMT -8
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
(Mark 1:35-38)
Messiah Yeshua had been thronged by people, being suddenly recognized as a super-star teacher and healer. He was instantly famous. At first, we imagine this means that all barriars to His successful ministry are lowered. He could say or do anything He wanted and people would listen. Any resources that may have before limited were now plentiful. Recognition and a "blank check" are the things that most of us in ministry dream about.
Yet, Messiah’s response seems somewhat disinterested in the popularity. It’s possible that He understood something we usually only see in hind-sight: that popularity doesn’t mean you can do anything you want; rather it means everyone suddenly has their own set of expectations. People continually arrive with a list of things they will exert pressure upon you to accommodate. What others saw as Messiah’s freedom and opportunity they would weigh down with their own agendas.
The logical answer would be for Messiah to set up shop, so to speak, in order to give a place for people to come to and receive a blessing from Him. Already, they were flocking from all over and His fame was spreading througout the country. It would be necessary to establish a protocol of invitation. Messah couldn’t work with the barrage of people coming in as they were. There were potential economic opportunities in travel and accomodatins for all the people who would be coming to see Him. There is no doubt that several were beginning to see the opportunities available surrounding Messiah’s "new business".
Simon Peter and the other disciples were a little perplexed that Messiah would be so rude as abandone His "fans" early that morning. "Everyone is looking for You," he said. The intent of the statement borders on rebuke, "You need to be where people can find You." Messiah’s answer is equally a rebuttal. "I need to be on the move."
What Peter and the others did not understand is that Messiah did not come to seek His own will, nor to establish Himself as some sort of celebrity. Social, political or economic success were not part of His agenda. In fact, He recognized the barriers and obstacles that such success brings.
Messiah’s response to Peter referenced a prophect concerning Him in the book of Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek…"(Isaiah 61:1)
In the minds of those around Him, His fame was likely seen as the gateway to success. Yet, if He was to fulfill this prophecy, it would not be done by sitting on a hill top and glorying in popularity. The meek don’t visit such arenas. The prophecy continues that Messiah was appointed to bind up the broken hearted and proclaim liberty to the captives and open the prison to them that are bound. One could not expect the such people to come and seek out the Messiah. Their need is such that He must come to them.
It is typical for us to view our life of ministry, our halakha, or walk of biblical obedience, as taking opportunities as they come to us, walking through doors that are opened to us. Messiah’s view was very much different: to know what His purpose was and to stay the course, regardless how loud and pressing the distractions may become. This is difficult for us. How do we know what we are to do or where we are to go? It is as though we presume that Messiah had been given resources and insights that are unavailable to us. If we believe that we have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell us, this is no valid excuse.
It is important to recognize that the disciples did not find Messiah sitting on the hilltop, wondering what He should do next. They found Him staying the course of His personal conviction and daily habit. They found Him in prayer. Messiah didn’t allow the changes in His circumstances to sway Him from the things He knew to be right. The changes to His circumstances could, therefore, never sway Him from the decisions in which the Spirit of Elohim would continue to lead Him. When barraged with expectations and agendas, opportunities and resources, the example of our Messiah is to commit ever more tenaciously to those basic elemental principles that have guided us to this point.
A lot of times I wonder why I am not more successful in the ministries that Adonai has placed before me. I think I know. The strength of my personal habits or worship, prayer and communion with Him are not strong enough to withstand the barrage of opportunity. If faced with popularity, today, I would likely be sent reeling in indecision. This is what happens when our basic tenets are not the foundations of biblical godliness and righteousness. If we are not committed in the basic things, greater things will render us useless for His kingdom. Or, Messiah put it this way,
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
(Luke 16:10)
(Mark 1:35-38)
Messiah Yeshua had been thronged by people, being suddenly recognized as a super-star teacher and healer. He was instantly famous. At first, we imagine this means that all barriars to His successful ministry are lowered. He could say or do anything He wanted and people would listen. Any resources that may have before limited were now plentiful. Recognition and a "blank check" are the things that most of us in ministry dream about.
Yet, Messiah’s response seems somewhat disinterested in the popularity. It’s possible that He understood something we usually only see in hind-sight: that popularity doesn’t mean you can do anything you want; rather it means everyone suddenly has their own set of expectations. People continually arrive with a list of things they will exert pressure upon you to accommodate. What others saw as Messiah’s freedom and opportunity they would weigh down with their own agendas.
The logical answer would be for Messiah to set up shop, so to speak, in order to give a place for people to come to and receive a blessing from Him. Already, they were flocking from all over and His fame was spreading througout the country. It would be necessary to establish a protocol of invitation. Messah couldn’t work with the barrage of people coming in as they were. There were potential economic opportunities in travel and accomodatins for all the people who would be coming to see Him. There is no doubt that several were beginning to see the opportunities available surrounding Messiah’s "new business".
Simon Peter and the other disciples were a little perplexed that Messiah would be so rude as abandone His "fans" early that morning. "Everyone is looking for You," he said. The intent of the statement borders on rebuke, "You need to be where people can find You." Messiah’s answer is equally a rebuttal. "I need to be on the move."
What Peter and the others did not understand is that Messiah did not come to seek His own will, nor to establish Himself as some sort of celebrity. Social, political or economic success were not part of His agenda. In fact, He recognized the barriers and obstacles that such success brings.
Messiah’s response to Peter referenced a prophect concerning Him in the book of Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek…"(Isaiah 61:1)
In the minds of those around Him, His fame was likely seen as the gateway to success. Yet, if He was to fulfill this prophecy, it would not be done by sitting on a hill top and glorying in popularity. The meek don’t visit such arenas. The prophecy continues that Messiah was appointed to bind up the broken hearted and proclaim liberty to the captives and open the prison to them that are bound. One could not expect the such people to come and seek out the Messiah. Their need is such that He must come to them.
It is typical for us to view our life of ministry, our halakha, or walk of biblical obedience, as taking opportunities as they come to us, walking through doors that are opened to us. Messiah’s view was very much different: to know what His purpose was and to stay the course, regardless how loud and pressing the distractions may become. This is difficult for us. How do we know what we are to do or where we are to go? It is as though we presume that Messiah had been given resources and insights that are unavailable to us. If we believe that we have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell us, this is no valid excuse.
It is important to recognize that the disciples did not find Messiah sitting on the hilltop, wondering what He should do next. They found Him staying the course of His personal conviction and daily habit. They found Him in prayer. Messiah didn’t allow the changes in His circumstances to sway Him from the things He knew to be right. The changes to His circumstances could, therefore, never sway Him from the decisions in which the Spirit of Elohim would continue to lead Him. When barraged with expectations and agendas, opportunities and resources, the example of our Messiah is to commit ever more tenaciously to those basic elemental principles that have guided us to this point.
A lot of times I wonder why I am not more successful in the ministries that Adonai has placed before me. I think I know. The strength of my personal habits or worship, prayer and communion with Him are not strong enough to withstand the barrage of opportunity. If faced with popularity, today, I would likely be sent reeling in indecision. This is what happens when our basic tenets are not the foundations of biblical godliness and righteousness. If we are not committed in the basic things, greater things will render us useless for His kingdom. Or, Messiah put it this way,
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
(Luke 16:10)
