Notes on Mark 1:29-39 (Prepared for New Vision Class)
29 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. 31 He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.
32 That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered near the door. 34 He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn't let the demons speak, because they recognized him. 35 Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer. 36 Simon and those with him tracked him down. 37 When they found him, they told him, "Everyone's looking for you!" 38 He replied, "Let's head in the other direction, to the nearby villages, so that I can preach there too. That's why I've come." 39 He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and throwing out demons.
29 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. 31 He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.
32 That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered near the door. 34 He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn't let the demons speak, because they recognized him. 35 Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer. 36 Simon and those with him tracked him down. 37 When they found him, they told him, "Everyone's looking for you!" 38 He replied, "Let's head in the other direction, to the nearby villages, so that I can preach there too. That's why I've come." 39 He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and throwing out demons.
Deserted Places
Written July 10, 2012, as a response to an "Alive Now" online meditation.
Alone with Spirit
Renewed in meditation
Sometimes just alone.
A deserted place can be a refuge from the business of the world, a place for gaining sustenance and gathering strength, a place eagerly sought and hard to find.
A deserted place can also be where we find ourselves alone, friendless, abandoned, frightened, without the resources we need to live.
To intentionally find our deserted places may bring us peace that can help us in the times when the deserted places find us.
Today, Saturday February 6, 2021:
In today’s passage from Mark, Jesus is described as getting up before sunrise to go out alone to pray. Finding alone time was not easy, but it was important. In one way, I feel like I’ve had plenty of alone time this year. What about you? Yet, that intentional time alone to renew Spirit still seems hard to find.
The other readings this weeks, from Psalms 147 and Isaiah 40, remind me of the grandeur of God as shown in creation. I am blessed to live in a beautiful spot. This week, we have seen the beauty of sun highlighting snow on the mountaintops, the amazing glory of sunrise and sunset, the majesty of a bald eagle on his/her perch not far from home, and the daily delight of the colorful little birds that visit our feeders.
My prayer for all of us this week is that we are able to find our deserted places to sustain us through the bleak days.
Some of us will worship in church Sunday morning, some us us will continue to worship at home. Whatever your choice, may you find peace and blessing to sustain you.
Jane
No comments:
Post a Comment