The Gospel of Mark (12) - Time to be alone with God

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 through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
                                         -- Mark 1:35-39



Jesus must had been very tired. The day before He had taught at the synagogue, confronted a man who was demon-possessed,  gone to Peter's and Andrew's house, healed Peter's mother-in-law, had dinner with them, then healed the crowds who came to the door of their house til late in the evening.

But Jesus got up early to seek a solitary place to pray.



The language suggests this prayer time was not "a moment of silence," or short, random sentence prayers, but an extended time with His Father.

He was still praying when the disciples arrived. "The people are looking for you," they exclaimed.

Crowds of people who wanted a glimpse of the popular Teacher, the one who spoke with authority.

Here in Capernaum He was riding a wave of great public support.

But Jesus had another agenda. He wanted to leave that place and go to another.

Jesus never seems preoccupied with gathering a crowd. Getting great numbers in the audience never seemed to be one of His priorities.

He did have a lot of support in Capernaum. But did the disciples realize how shallow the people's support was? They came, some to hear His teaching, some to see the miracles, many to be entertained, many out of curiosity.

Jesus was saying it was more important to go to a new place and preach His gospel than it was to stay there and enjoy the popularity.

Preaching God's good news was even more important than healing.

That was why He came, He said.

Is this how we should understand our mission today?

Maybe Jesus focused on His real mission because He spent time with His Father?