Pressure-cooker Living
Opening Prayer
My God, You know I can get really busy and distracted but I do want to focus on You now.
Read Mark 1:29-39
[29] As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. [30] Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. [31] So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. [32] That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. [33] The whole town gathered at the door, [34] 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. [35] 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. [36] Simon and his companions went to look for him, [37] and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” [38] Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” [39] So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did Jesus start his busy day?Jesus was under intense pressure as crowds flocked round him at every opportunity. Yet his compassion never failed—and neither did his focus and dependence on God the Father.
In a brief moment of privacy, he responded to a sick woman. Then the crowds, who had waited until sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, enthusiastically brought their sick to him, too. But, healed and delivered though they were, had they really understood Jesus’ core message? The demons knew exactly what was going on—they recognized and obeyed Jesus. His human listeners, however, seem to have been satisfied with the understandable excitement of getting healed.
Jesus knew when it was time to call a halt. Solitude in itself wasn’t what recharged his batteries. Prayer, the essential means of communication between the Son of God and God the Father, enabled him to refocus on his mission.
The people of Capernaum had now heard and seen all they needed to respond to God’s call. The rest was up to them. Now others were to have the chance to hear the good news.
Apply
What role does prayer and quietness before God play in your life? How do you “recharge your (spiritual) batteries”?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to learn from Your example and keep my spiritual batteries fully charged through regular prayer.
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