ListenDaily – 09 June 2010: More capable?
"They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."
Mark 1: 21-39
WWJP? Where Would Jesus Pray?
Jesus sometimes went off to a "solitary place" to pray.
Why?
Let's look at the order of events:
- Jesus taught and people were amazed
- He got read of some demons
- News about Him spread
- He healed Simon's mother-in-law
- He also drove out many more demons
- He went to the solitary place to pray
- Simon and his companions look for Him, tell Him "Everyone is looking for you!"
- Jesus tells them:
- "Let us go somewhere else..."
- "...so I can preach there also..."
- and, "...that is why I have come."
-He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Sometimes we think of going off to that "solitary place" because of sadness, failure, or loss - when we are in a dark place. There will be a time later when we see Jesus go off to the garden to pray in a very dark time, but this instance is different. Things appear to be going very well. Maybe He was tired. Maybe He needed direction; He did leave for other areas at this point. The point is this -- it was necessary that Jesus go to the solitary place to talk and listen to God. For whatever reason, He went off alone. If Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of the Most High God, He who came from Heaven...if He needed to spend time alone, just Him and God -- can I expect to need less?
Am I more capable than Jesus of escaping distractions?
Am I more able to hear God's voice than own His begotten Son?
Are you?
Jesus did not always go to the solitary place to pray, but He made a practice of doing it regularly.
We must as well.
Questions:
1. Do you have a solitary place in which you can pray?
2. Is it important that you find one?
3. How might this affect your own prayer?
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May we keep listening. Jim.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.
Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory.
Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!"
Andrew Murray
"All the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit quietly for a while each day in our rooms."
Blaise Pascal
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