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Reading through Mark’s Gospel the other day, I was struck by something. I’ve seen it before, but every time I notice it, it gives me a jolt and forces me to check my priorities in life and ministry.
In the first chapter of the Gospel, Jesus has just healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Then we are told that “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” (1:32–34).
Up to this point, it’s what we would expect. Jesus, the Son of God, has the power and authority to heal people. What’s more, he loves people, so he wants to help them in their need. And that’s precisely what we find him doing in these verses. So far, so good. We also see the result of this, with many people being healed, leading more people to come to him for healing. Mark’s description gives the impression of people just lined up hoping that he would heal them.
But it is what happens next that is surprising.
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 that I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (1:35–39)
Think about that for a moment. Jesus stops healing people to go and preach. Isn’t that strange? Jesus obviously thinks that healing people is a good thing to do, because we find him doing it. But he is very clear that he sees preaching as more important. In fact, he says it is the very reason he came.
Why would preaching be more important than making people healthy? Why would saying words be more important than physically making a positive difference in people’s lives? If I could heal people like Jesus could, I’m pretty sure I would do it as much as possible. I would start with family and friends, then I’d head out to the hospitals to continue. What a wonderful thing to be able to do!
Why would Jesus pull back from doing such a vital ministry?
As you go through the rest of Mark’s Gospel, the answer becomes clear: Jesus is not just interested in people’s physical well-being. Don’t get me wrong—he is interested in the physical and the present circumstances we find ourselves in. But it is not his priority.
Jesus’ priority was preaching because his words were so critical. He preached about the Kingdom of God, about heaven and hell, and about forgiveness of sins. In other words, he spoke about eternity so that we could have true life. This is the priority of Jesus.
And this is precisely why Jesus is such good news. He doesn’t just make seventy years on this earth more bearable; he makes eternity perfect. He doesn’t just make our body better; he heals our hearts, souls, and minds. He doesn’t just love us temporarily; he loves us permanently. In the end, sickness and death come to us all. But it is not the last word for those who have responded rightly to the preaching of Jesus.
This unexpected priority of Jesus is a good prod for me to look beyond the present and the physical. It pushes me to see things from Jesus’ perspective and to live in the light of that. I pray it might be a spur for us all. Let’s give thanks for Jesus’ unexpected and challenging priority!
The Rt Rev Jay Behan
Bishop
Church of Confessing Anglicans, NZ
