Today’s Jewel:
Prayer
Treasure Map Coordinates:
Mark 1:32-37
Sleep.
There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day for adequate sleep. Statistically, most of you would agree. We are prone to sacrifice physical rest in order to fulfill other duties and desires.
I dread the days on my calendar when late night plans crash against early morning obligations. With minimal sleep (for a body requiring at least eight hours of beauty rest), it is all too easy to give up precious prayer time for the sake of a few more zzzz’s. I think Jesus understands these moments of temptation.
One evening, after the Sabbath sun dipped below the horizon, the home where Jesus stayed bustled with activity.
It had been an exhausting day. Jesus exerted energy in teaching the people at the synagogue. He exercised power over an evil spirit. Then, he extended healing to Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. In anyone’s book, it had been an eventful and productive day.
The people of Capernaum took notice of the new man in town. Amazed at his teaching, astonished by his authority and taken aback by his power over evil spirits, their eyebrows rose in curiosity. Walking the dusty streets of their seaside village was a man unlike any they had ever met.
Unwilling to let Jesus slip quietly out of town without personally benefitting from his abilities, the Capernamites (I guess that’s what they’re called??) seized the remaining hours of the day.
It was the time of day when life slowed down. The sky grew darker, crickets chirped, the wind settled to a light breeze and livestock nestled down on beds of hay.
While nature trumpeted the day’s end, the townsfolk of Capernaum were alive with anticipation. With Jesus in their midst, their imaginations ran wild with dreams they had never dared dream.
“Maybe my son will walk again.”
“I wonder if Jesus can open my wife’s womb to bear a child.”
“Perhaps my father won’t be possessed by demons forever.”
“Maybe Jesus will touch my daughter and bring an end to her tormenting seizures.”
Led by the light of handheld lanterns, families hurriedly made their way to the home of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. As the knocks grew in frequency, it was evident there would be no sleep for Jesus anytime soon. The evening hours were filled with people, needs and requests. Even though “the whole town gathered at the door” (v33), Jesus didn’t drive them away. He didn’t say (as I would have), “Come back tomorrow. I’m tired. I think I’ll just sit down and read through a few Psalms tonight.”
Jesus did what Jesus does best—he ministered to the Capernamites in their moment of need. Unquestionably, the exorcisms and healings extended well into the night. Finally, the home settled into quietude and sleep quickly claimed all who stayed there.
The next morning, Jesus was nowhere to be found.
Peter and his comrades roamed the village streets and nearby countryside in search of Jesus. They found him praying in a solitary place.
In the wee hours of the morning, while everyone else was deep in sleep, Jesus silently slipped away from the home for some time alone with His Father. No doubt it had been a short night of sleep. By the time the whole town had been healed and the house was free of visitors, it was late. But a late night of ministry did not excuse Jesus from prayer.
Jesus chose to give up sleep for the purpose of praying.
When Jesus’ friends found him, they exclaimed, “Everyone is looking for you!” The incredulity in their voices speaks volumes. Were they relieved to have found Jesus? Absolutely! Shocked he would leave them just to pray? Perhaps. Having found him, they quickly whisked Jesus back to town. Overnight, word traveled like wildfire and many families had traveled from other cities for the Healer’s touch.
If Jesus had not left the house, the needs of the people would have swamped him before he had a chance to seek His Father’s face.
It was crucial for Jesus to see the face of God before he saw any earthly face. It was essential for Jesus to speak to God before He spoke to any other ear. It was critical he touched the heart of God before He touched the people.
Jesus connected to God and His heart before the demands of the day overwhelmed Him.
Jesus modeled the importance of prayer. Like Jesus, I must be intentional about seeing God’s face before I see the faces of my family members or coworkers. I must speak to God before I speak to others. I must touch the heart of God before I attempt to touch the needs of those around me.
If Jesus couldn’t face the day without spending time in prayer, who am I to think that I can do any better?
Sleep. It’s important. Prayer is even more so.
For Reflection
① What activities routinely steal your prayer time? What activities have you intentionally put aside for the purpose of prayer?
② When I forfeit my prayer time for the sake of sleep (or any other activity), am I not exhibiting a lack of trust in God?
Bury that Treasure!
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16).
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I have inserted my own interpretive ideas for the sake of the narrative. Clearly, the title of this post is also my own idea, as Scripture does not state or even suggest Jesus was tempted in this passage. Scripture does tell us Jesus was tempted in every way as we are (Hebrews 4:15), and it is my own sneaky suspicion that on this particular morning Jesus was oh-so-briefly tempted.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: The New International Version (NIV) Study Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society (Zondervan Publishing House).
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