March 16, 2024

“It’s All About Jesus!”
Mark 1:29-34 (Jesus at Simon’s house)
After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. – Mark 1:29 (NLT)
“Don’t Leave Jesus At Church”

Last fall, there was a mother and daughter who found themselves in front of an angry, impatient driver. As they tried to merge into traffic on a busy street, they were evidently not doing it fast enough for the guy. He repeatedly honked his horn, waved his arm, and was yelling out the window. When they finally were able to get onto the busy street, it was bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go traffic. The driver following them pulled up beside them and showed them he had a gun. They stopped and let the enraged man go past, taking a picture of his license plate as he did. They pulled off the street and called the police. The police were able to track down the driver, confirming his identity with both the picture the lady took and traffic cameras who caught the man on film. He was arrested for his behavior and taken to jail. Sadly, he was also identified as the Youth Pastor at a local church.
Don’t leave Jesus at church. That was the thought that hit me as I read our passage for today. Jesus is not just a job to go to if you’re a pastor. He’s not just someone we are to sing to and talk about when we go to worship. He doesn’t live in cathedrals or sanctuaries. He dwells in our hearts and desires to shine through our lives. He is with us wherever we go and should be evident in everything we do and say. He should be a part of every conversation, every interaction, and yes, even with us as we get behind the wheel.
Simon Peter and Andrew took Jesus home with them when they left the synagogue. I hope you take Jesus with you when you leave church this Sunday, too. I hope He’s evident in the way you treat your spouse, your kids, and even in the way you treat your mother-in-law. I hope you take Him with you to work, to school, and to ballgames you attend. I hope you take Jesus with you when you meet with your friends, go on your date, and go shopping at Walmart. Jesus will be thrilled if you go to church this Sunday and worship Him with all your heart. But He will be even MORE THRILLED if you make Him a part of every single day. So don’t leave Jesus at church. That’s God’s Word for you today.