This text portrays the lifestyle of Jesus which discovers renewal through prayer and also the sense of urgency He had in fulfilling his mission.
1. The statement that Jesus got up early morning, while it was still dark, and went to a lonely place to pray shows his priority in life. The previous text point to the fact that the daytime of Jesus was very busy and that he was surrounded by people. Even when it seems hard to have personal communion with God, to have it is very vital. Prayer is the noblest and lofty factor for the health of the body and mind. The quiet time with the Lord helps people to realise the will of God to reorganise life in accordance with that. It's a time for building up the wall of security against worldliness. It could be the time of renewal and sanctification. We need not wait for such times to come naturally, but we need to find and make such times. Jesus made up such a time and space in the very early morning before any other engagement. As the disciples could find out that lonely place, we can infer that it was a usual practice of Jesus about which the disciples were also familiar.
2. Jesus was initiating his disciples into the kingdom programme by this incident. The activities of Jesus in Capernaum had gained him much popularity and everybody was seeking him. The disciples asked him to continue that ministry in Capernaum. But Jesus had different ideas through his prayer. The primary task of Jesus was not to gain popularity by performing miracles. The priority for him was to preach the gospel in every town and village. The most important training a disciple has to get is to enter into a value system suited for the kingdom of God. Jesus was always challenging his disciples to enter into such a philosophy of life. When Peter advised Jesus not to have crucifixion and suffering, he was rebuked by Jesus. When the sons of Zebedee desired prominence by sitting on the right and left of Jesus in his glory, Jesus tried to correct them. When the disciples asked Jesus to send fire on Samaria, he admonished them for the spirit of the gentiles residing on them. In fact, Jesus was bidding them a different orientation.
3. Jesus preached the gospel in nearby villages and the whole of Galilee. The next stage of Jesus' public ministry began here. The nearby villages were not as much prominent as the towns in social ratings. Many often, settings having only favourable circumstances with no opposition may lead to a stagnation in spiritual growth. The power of the gospel must be experienced in all situations. Paul who desired the gospel to be preached to the ends of the earth and to share it in Spain is an imitable model for every believer. The apostles who travelled beyond the continents to preach the gospel definitely inspire us for continuous Christian adventures.
Point to ponder: Do our prayer experiences motivate us to leave our security zones for the glory of God?
Prayer: Pray for someone waiting for divine guidance in their career that it would be according to the divine will.
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