(Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash)
I got sidetracked this morning but it’s time to toss those things aside and get to what’s really important. Time with You, Father, should be a top priority. May I clear my mind and hear You clearly. Amen.
Mark 1:21a (<<click to read the passage)
“Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum.”
This is just the first half of the first verse of this passage. And at first glance, you might look at it and think, “Yeah…so what?’
In those few words, Jesus shows who He came to impact. By Biblical accounts, Capernaum wasn’t too awfully far away from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up but He purposely relocated here as a home base for His ministry. Here’s what my study Bible* has to say,
“Capernaum was a thriving town with great wealth as well as great sin and decadence. Because it was a headquarters for many Roman troops, pagan influences from all over the Roman Empire were pervasive. This was an ideal place for Jesus to challenge both Jews and non-Jews with the Good News of God’s Kingdom.”
Jesus purposely placed Himself smack-dab in the middle of it all. He didn’t insulate Himself. He didn’t throw up walls – literal or figurative. He was Immanuel – God with us – and He lived it out to its fullest.
Lord, where do we allow ourselves to be placed? Life can be messy and dirty. It can be painful. So do we avoid it if at all possible? Do we separate ourselves from contact with anything that might bring us discomfort? Or challenge us? You didn’t… So if You didn’t, we shouldn’t.
Lord Jesus, help us all to be open to being used wherever You place us. Help us not to see adversity but opportunity. May we be productive for Your kingdom smack dab in the middle of it all!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Jan 15th, 2019, Tues, 10:51 am
