And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:35-39)
From ESV Study Bible:
Mark 1:35 Four verbs (rising/departed/went/prayed) emphasize Jesus' resolve to have fellowship with his Father. Jesus prayed at a very early hour: while it was still dark.
Mark 1:37–38 Everyone is looking for you. Peter and the others only see the needs and therefore do not understand why Jesus went away to pray (v. 35). Jesus intentionally removes himself from the crowds and then goes on to the next towns, obeying the Father's call to preach the gospel.
Knowing Peter's impetuous character, one would have imagine the panic that he has to go through when he discovered that Jesus is not doing the work, but staying in a corner to pray. It is still early days in the ministry, Peter and gang are just starting to know this new 'trend'. It was fun casting out demons and having a teacher who doesn't just teach, but to teach with authority. It was fun. But the kingdom is not just about the glitz and glamour. There is another side they didn't get to see and experience as yet: silence and solitude.
In prayer, we get renewed and refreshed by His presence. We come to hear him- hear what he has to say to us with regards to US! God is a God of revelation : He speaks through His word and the Holy Spirit. He may reveal to us character flaws that we need to work on. He may reveal to us things that are not so nice. He may reveal more of himself to us. He may remind us of His promises towards us. He may guide us to things and events that we never thought of. One thing for sure: when we come to be renewed in His presence, we get our vision realigned (for that is why I came out). Our purpose and plans gets laid out in our sweet communion with God. Deep transactions and true transformation begins in the early hours of the morning. There is no better exercise to start the day than with a spiritual encounter with God.
John Stott commented: Jesus certainly knew OT verses like Isaiah 40:31:"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength"(KJV).And he sought this renewal in prayer. We also know how intimate his relation to his Father was from his use of the diminutive Aramaic form of address, "Abba"... Thus renewed and refreshed from his prayer, Jesus would return to the pressures of his busy ministry renewal and engagement, that enabled Jesus to endure the strains of his ministry. And if e needed it, how much more do we?
No comments:
Post a Comment