It is interesting to see how Jesus started his public ministry. In Luke’s Gospel after his baptism by John and the temptations in the desert, Jesus begins his public ministry in his hometown of Nazareth. He was not accepted there as a prophet nor was his message appreciated by his childhood neighbors and extended family. In fact, they utterly reject him, physically pushing him right out of their village.
Undeterred, Jesus goes to a large commercial and cultural center, the city of Capernaum on the sea of Galilee to restart his mission. That was a 30-mile walk, probably about a two day walk. He begins by preaching in the synagogue where he rebukes and expels demons who recognize him. The people were astonished by his words and authority. Later he cures Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and then spends the evening curing sick people.
The next day he goes off alone to pray. The crowds find him and want to force him to stay with them. For me this has always seemed like a good proposal. If I were Jesus, all the folks that I had cured would provide me with good food and housing. I would be famous there – the text says they were astonished. So, for me, I see a good house, good food from the mother-in-law, and lots of fame. Why not just stay right there and enjoy “the good life”.
Jesus is united to God the Father’s plan and can resist a purely human life plan – the temptations of laziness, fame, fortune, self-centeredness, good food and good housing. He is focused on his mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God to all.
This short description of this event at the beginning of Jesus public ministry gives us a pattern for follow for our own personal Christian life and how to make decisions. We are called to always dedicate ourselves to renouncing ourselves, to prayer and to service – and then more service, more of the same. Whatever we are doing in life whether work, profession, studies, sports, games, family, chores, or recreation, everything is focused on proclaiming the Good News to others and healing others.
They tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”