THE OTHER SIDE

He(Jesus) says to them:"Let us go over to the other side...." (Mark 4:35).

In the Mark's account of the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, we observe that the Lord was encouraging His disciples to go to the other side. In Luke 4:43, He speaks about going to preach in the other cities and villages too. In John 10:16, He talks of the other sheep He has to bring into the fold to make it one fold. The other place, the other sheep and the other side-all speak of the needs to be met, the opportunities available for ministering to the people and the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ which He also entrusted to His disciples.

Yes, there are people everywhere and opportunities are plenty to serve them.In Mark ch.5, we see the people Jesus met and saved on the other side. The demoniac needed deliverance, the woman suffering from a deadly disease was seeking for healing and the little girl was in need of life. That's why the Lord encouraged His disciples to cross over to the other side.

Even today , we see people under bondage to various evil habits and influences of Satan struggling to be freed, and the people suffering from deadly diseases, mental sicknesses, broken hearts and ruined homes longing for healing and health in their lives. There are also people who are not really living meaningfully, but are just existing; they need the new life and the abundant life Jesus came to give. (John. 10:10). In Mark 4:35-41, we read how the Lord takes the disciples through the storm. It is His process of preparing them for the ministry on the other side. Through that experience their faith was strengthened and their understanding of His person and presence was enlightened, for they saw His mighty power demonstrated before their very own eyes. Yes, even today such preparation through the storms of life is essential to impart His resurrection life and power to those who respond to the call of the other side and venture to cross over, with the Heavenly Servant to serve the 'others' with the love of God. May we catch the vision of the other side.

"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." John 4:35.