Jesus Rises Early to Be With His Father
February 10, 2022
Commentary
After a very busy day in Capernaum, Jesus rose early the next morning to spend time with His Father (vv. 35–39). Though He may have been physically tired, He knew His greater need was spiritual renewal. He went to a quiet place to pray and receive guidance. Jesus understood that if He was going to give to others, He must first receive from God. His life shows that prayer is not optional but necessary. If Jesus needed time with the Father, how much more do we need it in our daily lives with discipline, focus, consistency, humility, and deep dependence on God, learning to listen, wait, trust, obey, and grow in a deeper relationship with Him each day with a faithful heart always.
When the disciples found Him, they told Him, “Everyone is looking for you.” They expected Him to return to the crowds. How-ever, Jesus chose to follow the Father’s direction instead of human expectations. He said they would go to other towns to preach, showing that His mission was centered on sharing the gospel, not only on meeting immediate needs. This reminds us to seek God’s will above people’s demands and to stay focused on His purpose. We must learn to choose obedience to God even when others expect something different.
Later, a man with leprosy came to Jesus, boldly asking for healing. Lepers were rejected and forced to live apart because of their condition. Yet this man believed Jesus had the power to heal him. Moved with compassion, Jesus touched him and made him clean. He then instructed the man to follow the law and go to the priest. This shows both His mercy and His obedience to God’s commands. It also reminds us that no one is beyond God’s grace, and His touch can restore even the most broken life. Faith like this man’s draws near to Jesus with humility.
Application
Do I seek His will before following people’s expectations? Am I bringing my needs to Jesus with humble faith like the leper? I want to listen, obey, and trust Him daily. How can I stay close to Him and serve others with a faithful heart today? I will choose Him first each day with love and devotion always.
Mark 1:35–45 (NET)
35 Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He replied, “Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do.” 39 So he went into all of Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
40 Now a leper came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. “If you are willing, you can make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with indignation, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” 42 The leprosy left him at once, and he was clean. 43 Immediately Jesus sent the man away with a very strong warning. 44 He told him, “See that you do not say anything to anyone, but go, show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 But as the man went out he began to announce it publicly and spread the story widely, so that Jesus was no longer able to enter any town openly but stayed outside in remote places. Still they kept coming to him from everywhere.
Andrew Bonar Had Three Rules
It is said that Andrew Bonar, a great man of prayer, had three rules:
Not to speak to any man before speaking to JesusNot to do anything with his hands until he had been on his kneesNot to read the papers until he had read his Bible.(Keith L. … Continue