A Glimpse Into Jesus’ Prayer Life

— Mark 1:35-38 & Matthew 4:23-25 

THEN, IN THE EARLY MORNING, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a deserted place, and there he prayed. Simon and his companions went in search of him, and when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

“Then we will go somewhere else, to the neighbouring towns,” he replied, “so that I may give my message there too—that is why I have come.” …

Jesus now moved about through the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news about the kingdom, and healing every disease and disability among the people. His reputation spread throughout Syria, and people brought to him all those who were ill, suffering from all kinds of diseases and pains—including the devil-possessed, the insane and the paralysed. He healed them, and was followed by enormous crowds from Galilee, The Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the river Jordan.

In the moment…

The man is resting within the cleft of a rock, hanging his barefoot feet above the ground below; his palms, upturned, sit perfectly still on the tops of his thighs. The expression of his face is sheer delight. From time to time he grins; even, sometimes, laughs. The golden rising sunlight is rising across his countenance.

The men walking around the nearest bend are startled when they hear a laughing voice. They stop. They squint as they listen to what the voice is saying:

  “Abba, whatever you say!

  “Yes, of course I’ll go—today?

  “Do you think they understand the meaning, Abba?

  “How long till they recognize who I am?”

Gathering themselves, the men approach the rock, and this lofty perch, and they are sure he’ll be excited at the news they bring of curious, gathering crowds. His immediate answer—specifically its immediacy—surprises them.