But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the
sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and
they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great
things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship
should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
For he had healed many; insomuch that
they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw
him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
And he straitly charged them that
they should not make him known.
--MARK 3:7-12
Wherever Jesus went, his fame preceded him. He attracted hordes of
people, eager to meet him. He was revered, even worshiped, as a healer and a
miracle worker.
The scriptures tell of Jesus' power to exorcise demonic spirits. In the
Markan account of Jesus' journey with his disciples to the sea, the unclean
spirits that Jesus is exorcising fall on their knees before Jesus and shout,
"You are the son of God." Jesus sternly orders the unclean spirits
not to make him known.
We might not understand his insistence on shunning the limelight, but
Jesus' interest lies less in garnering attention, recognition, and fame for
himself than in focusing the spotlight on God.
How that differs from our egotistic human nature! Ours is an increasingly
self-centered, narcissistic world. Corporate greed, an increasing disparity
between wealthy and poor, those with privilege and those on the margins of life
are just a few signs of a "me first" attitude. The slogan of the
moment for far too many is "It's all about me!"
In stark contrast, Jesus shuns center-stage attention. He prefers to
focus our attention and our praise beyond himself to God. Jesus demonstrates
that though he is the Son of God, it is not all about him! Jesus steps outside
the spotlight of fame and attention in order to point to the almighty and
all-loving power of God so others will see the divine glory through Jesus' life
and ministry.
Likewise, we offer our lives in service and ministry with deep gratitude
to God for life and in profound thanksgiving for the grace and love of Jesus
Christ. It's not about us; it is all about the power and love of God!
Gracious
God, may all my words, actions, and good works today bring glory not to me but
to you. Amen.
--Robert
T. Hoshibata, Heal, Dakotas Ann Conf.
God Is Still In Control!
Miss Lladale Carey
Web Content Producer
www.umcgiving.org
lcarey@umcom.org
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