Going Where Jesus Went, Loving Who Jesus Loved

03/23/25

…“Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” — Mark 1:38 (NIV) 

So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. — Mark 1:39 (NIV) 

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” — Mark 1:15 (NIV) 

“[The Gospel is] the announcement that everything has changed in the coming of Jesus, and it leads us to a new kind of living. It is a Kingdom of God lifestyle with allegiance to a King as the ultimate restorer. We are His workers to reflect that good news and a new way of life in a world that is seeking answers in profoundly short-sighted ways rather than in the Way of Jesus.” ~ N.T. Wright

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. 43 Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: 44 “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” 45 But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him. — Mark 1:40–45 (NLT) 

[He] came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,”… (v. 40)

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” (v. 41)

Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: 44 “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy.(vv.43-44a)

But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him. (v. 45)

…This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed. (v. 44b)

As we walk in the way of Jesus, we are called to move in love toward the lonely, the outcast, and the lost.

BHAG- Big Hairy Audacious Goal.

As we walk in the way of Jesus, we are called to move in love toward the lonely, the outcast, and the lost.

Sunday, August 10.