In the Psalms of Ascents (Ps. 120-134), before the pilgrim could begin his journey to the house of the LORD (121-122) he had to leave where he was (120). You can’t set out on a journey unless you are willing to leave where you are. Our “leaving behind” experiences are “spiritual” experiences. Am I just running from problems I should face? Is the LORD accompanying me in this move?
kataleipÅ: to leave behind
· Mt 4:13: Jesus left Nazareth to live in Capernaum. (Several times it is used of a simple “left this place to go to that place.” In each there is the issue of God’s leading: am I done here? Does God want me there? My wife and I moved from one home to another 8x over the years. Each was a spiritual decision. Jesus left Nazareth because of rejection; the Spirit led Him to Capernaum.)
· Mt 16:4: Jesus leaves Pharisees, crosses sea
· Mt 19:5; man shall leave father, mother (Gn 2:24; Mk 10:7; Eph 5:31). (This is a heart issue. It doesn’t always involve a major geographical move.)
· Mt 21:17: Jesus left Jerusalem, went to Bethany
· Mk 12:19: Sadducees ask if man die & leave a wife, etc. (Death is a leaving behind that will happen but at an unknown time. How much should you prepare for it? But at what point must you put it in God’s hands?)
· Mk 14:52: man left linen & fled naked. (Ultimately all the disciples left Jesus. Paul experienced this, 2 Tim. 4:16. Leaving one place severs ties with those with whom we are comfortable and leaves us on our own, WITH THE LORD.)
· Lk 5:28: Matthew left all, followed Jesus. (Discipleship is leaving behind.)
· Lk 10:40: Mary had left Martha alone serving. (Important: leaving what is important but not the most important. Leaving involves God-directed priorities.)
· Lk 20:31: Sadducees: wife & 7 bros left no children
· Jn 8:9: Jesus left alone w/adulteress.
· Ac 18:19: Paul left friends at Ephesus & went into synagogue
· Ac 21:3: on voyage, they left Cypress, sailed to Syria
· Ac 24:27: Felix left Paul bound
· Rom 11:4: God had 7000 true believers left in Elijah's day
· 1 Th 3:1: Paul left alone at Athens. (The result here was Paul had unique opportunities to serve the Lord.)
· Tit 1:5: Titus left in Crete for certain job
· Hb 4:1: a promise is left us of entering into rest. (A promise was left behind or remains. Jesus ascended to heaven but left a promise to return.
· Hb 11:27: Moses, by faith, left Egypt. (Leaving is always a faith issue.)
· 2Pt 2:15: false teachers have left the right way, gone way of Balaam. (Not all “leaving” is good.)
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