Today, we will look at the tension between staying and going. There is a time to go and there is a time to stay. Today, we will look at two stories. In one story, Jesus crossed over a lake to meet with one crazy person. He passed through a wicked storm to get there. When He got there and healed this one man–THE ENTIRE TOWN begs Jesus to leave. This young man, who has been healed, asks to go with Jesus, but Jesus tells him to stay.

In the other story, Jesus told His disciples to go and they stayed. So, Jesus allowed the first follower to be killed, so that the disciples would go.

Both stories seem contrary to what seems best. It seems like it would be a great idea for a man to spend MORE time with Jesus. But Jesus sends this lonely, strange man away from Him. In the other story, it seems odd that God would allow a man to be killed, so that His message can get out. Didn’t Jesus come to protect, to save, and help us? This is a strange way of getting people to follow him.