Mark 1: 35-39 (NKJV)
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You. But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”
The first chapter of the gospel of Mark introduces us to the Lord’s public ministry in which He began to preach, call some of His disciples to follow Him, cast out unclean spirits / demons, and heal diseases. In reading this chapter, we come across a focused Lord Jesus Christ, focused on His assignment and the will of the Father. He went from the place of receiving His Father’s affirmation, to a place of great temptation, straightway to the place of living out His assignment.
The fact that He was the Son of God and had heard the Father say to Him “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” did not stop Him from returning to the Father in the place of prayer. The fact that He had taught with so much authority that those who heard Him were absolutely stunned, He had cast out numerous demons and healed all manner of sicknesses did not bring Him to a place of self sufficiency. He still rose up very early to run into the arms of His Father to commune and fellowship with Him in the place of secret prayer. He knew what He was about and was totally focused. He knew that to complete His assignment, His strength had to be renewed daily and He needed “Fresh Manna” from Heaven.
Success always brings plenty of friends. So everyone was looking for Jesus, so much so Simon and others were looking for Him wondering where He was. His response is one we can learn from. He was focused on the fact that He was not just called to reach the people of one town; He was called to reach many more. He was focused and was not about to be distracted by yesterday’s success.
My dear sisters, let us by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have received, be fully focused on God and His will for our lives. Don’t let the failures and successes we have distract us. Let us constantly and consistently always return to the place of prayer. Without God we can do nothing, but with Him on our side and empowering us we can do all things He gives us to do, just like Jesus did.
May His love envelope you this week……