Daily Devotional for Monday 22nd April
Let’s Pray
Mark is an amazing storyteller and in this week’s readings, we experience him continuing to fly through the events of Jesus’ early ministry. There seems little time for the reader to take a breath between the accounts of Jesus’ teachings and miracles.
And yet! In today’s reading we see that in fact, Jesus needed to take a breath and to take time out. Peter, already taking on the leadership of the disciples, clearly does not understand what Jesus is up to. The disciples have been hunting for Jesus because: ‘Everyone is looking for you’ (v. 37). Jesus has been ministering powerfully in Capernaum and people cannot get enough of Him. The disciples want to see this ministry flourish. But His ministry goes beyond the local area to which Peter and the disciples want Him to return to. Jesus knows that He has to preach His message of the imminent judgement of God in more places. Despite the amazing reception of His ministry in Capernaum He cannot get stuck there (vs. 38, 39).
How did Jesus keep His head in all the success of this ministry? He not only prayed but deliberately made serious time and space to do so. He awoke very early while it was still dark and went off to a solitary place. He made sure He was away from anyone who might also be up and about. He protected His time and space with the Father and He prayed. What about we are not told, but we do know He prayed and obeyed. He could have stayed in Capernaum and continued a fruitful ministry but instead He spent time with the Father and went where He was called.
Whatever our ministry, in the church, work, or elsewhere, we need to follow this example and take time to pray and listen to God.
Time to reflect…
Think a moment about your daily life and routine. Do you need to make more time and space to pray, read the Bible, reflect, and pray about God’s calling on your life?
Pause to pray…
Lord, help us to be still amid the depths of your love in your victory over evil on the cross. Help us to be still and receive this, your love. Amen
