That sounds harmless enough, but I fear the Bible translators have let the disciples off easy here. It sounds as though the disciples are simply looking for Jesus, but the Greek word Mark uses usually presumes hostile intent on the the part of those doing the looking. This is a word used to speak of "pursuing" an enemy. But why would these 4 disciples be chasing Jesus in such a manner?
I suspect that, like most of us, these guys have expectations of Jesus. They've seen his charisma, seen his healing power, and they know they have winner on their hands. But Jesus has up and disappeared on them. They need to find him and bring him back. Perhaps they can even set up a little center at Simon's house. Jesus has already packed them in. This has all the makings of a huge religious enterprise.
But Jesus is not going to cooperate. Even when they find Jesus, he refuses to be captured. The disciples plead, "Come on back, Jesus. Everyone is searching for you." But Jesus replies, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." Jesus has work, a mission, and it doesn't fit with his followers' religious ambitions.
An inherent problem with all religious endeavor is the desire to get God in a box so the divine becomes manageable. We want God to assist us in our plans and schemes. All too often, we want to capture Jesus and tell him, "Come with us." But only a Jesus we imagine actually does. God's Living Word will not follow us. Instead he says, "Deny yourself, let go of your agenda, stop trying to drag me where you want to go, and take up the cross and follow me."
We resist. We say, "No, Jesus, come with us. We know the way." But I'm not sure even we believe that.
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