Key Verse: Very early
in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went
to a solitary place where He prayed.
Mark 1:35
If Jesus couldn't do it without time alone to commune with
the Father, what makes us think that we can? Jesus had a busy Sabbath and evening the day
before. Yet, instead of resting up, or
rewarding Himself with a break from ministry, He got up early and went off to
pray, which is often hard work! He took
the time to center again on His purpose for coming.
Contrast Jesus' quietness with the frenzied behavior of the
disciples. Where was the master? Didn't He know that there were more sick
people needing healing? The appointment
calendar is filling up! Where could He
be?
Their plan was to open up shop right there in Capernaum. Jesus could just stay put at Peter's house
and heal people all day long! They had
it all worked out, just like we do with our planners and programs and lists and
appointments to keep. After all, here
was the chance to become important to their neighbors! They could become, "somebody!" Fame was just around the corner! The disciples were somewhat frantic and
harried. They had it all figured out. They had not, however, checked with Jesus.
"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the
Lord comes the reply of the tongue. All
a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord." (Proverbs 16:1-2) Imagine the disciples' shock
when they found Jesus and He told them, "it's time to move on." Move on? But they had it made here! Why move on? They were obviously needed! There were still more people who needed to be
blessed! If funds ran low, Jesus could
just make another massive catch of fish for them to eat and sell. Why move on?
What they didn't understand, and what we often miss as well,
is that Jesus placed more value, on His preaching ministry than His healing
ministry. He had not come just to heal
some people physically who would end up dying eventually anyway. He came for a greater purpose, to proclaim to
as many as possible the knowledge of God's love. He came to bring more than healing, He came
to bring hope to a weary, sin laden people who knew no real way out of their
misery but death in the end. Physical
healing is only temporary. No matter
what the healing that we, or anyone may experience, eventually, we will all
grow old, lose our ability to hear, see or walk. Our bodies are made of corruptible seed that
can't help but break down and eventually die.
Jesus knew that His Word, however, would last forever. That's what He had to spread as far and wide
as He could. Some could be blessed by
healing, but all would be blessed by His Word.
Was Jesus tempted to settle down in Capernaum? We'll never know. What we do know is that in His quiet times
alone with the Father, He drew strength to maintain the focus on His purpose
and calling. How can we get by with
less? Following His example, it is in
our quiet times with the Lord, in our prayer and meditation and or devotional
readings (such as this one you are doing now), that we too can be strengthened
and renewed to stay, or move on, in whatever He is calling us to.
Hymn: Sweet Hour of Prayer This one for the words"Sweet Hour of Prayer" This one to be amazed!
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