In the ongoing roller coaster called Blackberry, sources familiar with the company announced this week that BlackBerry board hopes to run a “fast” auction process that could result in a sale of the company by November. Analysts have noted problems with product releases, lackluster marketing, poor cross-platform products, and few apps. It seems like Blackberry failed to consider some of the wider issues in their practices. (http://www.nationalpost.com/search/index.html?q=blackberry)
For Jesus’ disciples in Mark 1, they failed to consider some of the wider issues in their ministry. There were some pressures before them that overtook their perspective. After a busy sabbath of worship and ministry in the synagogue, at a time when others might seek rest and relaxation, Jesus sought His Father in private prayer (35). The earliness of the hour and the pains taken to secure a quiet place for uninterrupted prayer left a lasting impression on the disciples. Simon and the others seem to have thoroughly disapproved of this ‘unrealistic’ strategy in withdrawing from the bustle and opportunity of Capernaum to the silence of a lonely spot (37). They must have been still more puzzled when Jesus saw, in this heightened local interest roused by his healing work, the signal to move on, and to preach in other villages (38). This, he explains, was in fulfillment of his mission, which now became a general preaching and healing mission of a traveling nature, based on the synagogues of Galilee (Cole, R. A. (1989). Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 117–118). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.).
Do you find yourself at a time in your life where you are so busy that the last reasonable thing is to withdraw in prayer?With summer ending and fall in full swing, plans, activities, work and other responsibilities seem to be a mountain before us. It is at this critical juncture that prayer is a necessity. It must occur as the basis of plans, the method of preparation and the continual check of mission. We often find ourselves overwhelmed and unfocused because we have failed to pray. Prayer should not be a matter of personal convenience but of self-discipline and sacrifice. Does this explain why so much of collective ministry can be so ineffective? (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
In Mark 1 Jesus gives us a critical lesson on the timing, manner and necessity of prayer. In it, He shows us the: Preparation by Prayer (Mark 1:35) 2) Expectations through Prayer (Mark 1:36-37), 3) Actions from Prayer (Mark 1:38-39)
1) Preparation by Prayer (Mark 1:35)
Mark 1:35 [35]And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed
One of the key considerations of scripture is a determination if a passage is descriptive or prescriptive. Is it describing something or telling us we should be doing something specific. The questions we would naturally have from this passage would be a consideration if morning is the best time to pray? Do we have to be alone to pray? Do we need to be in a desolate place to pray? To answer these questions we should consider how and why Jesus prayed.
In verse 35, after a long and strenuous day Jesus, who was and is not only divine but also human, felt the need of prayer. “Rising very early in the morning while it was still dark ∕night,” as it was just starting to get light (Luke 4:42). This refers to the last watch of the night, sometime between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. (Bob Utley. The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Copyright ©2001 by Bible Lessons International, Marshall, Texas)
It is not wrong to rest, but there are times when physical comforts and rest will have to take a back seat to the practice of prayer.
Jesus departed∕left the house and went out to a desolate ∕ lonely ∕deserted ∕solitary place, a quiet retreat. The Greek word for this “place” (erēmos) is the same word for the wilderness where John preached (1:4) and where Jesus was tempted (1:12). In Mark the word does not connote a desert waste but, reflecting Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness following the Exodus, a place of repentance, restoration, and fellowship with God. “Israel’s wanderings under the leadership of Moses were a march under the guidance of the Spirit of God (Isa 63:11), and the Spirit gave the people rest (Isa 63:14) (Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 65). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.).
Following being centered on the Word, the Holy Spirit delivers rest to His people. Effective prayer contains the elements of repentance, restoration and fellowship with God.
That Jesus “prayed” in our text “is always used of prayer to God.” This fact is instructive in that it plainly indicates that we are not to pray to the saints, such as the apostles or Mary. Scripture never exhorts or gives us an example to pray to anyone but God. The simple statement in English that “he prayed” is in the imperfect tense in the Greek, which suggests prolonged prayer (Brooks, J. A. (1991). Mark (Vol. 23, p. 53). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
Before mentioning anything else about prayer, we must first realize that this is an intensive, prolonged endeavor. The recorded events of Jesus’ prayer life show continued prayer. We must not think that a casual, brief, sporadic prayer life will produce a directed understanding of God’s will.
What did Jesus pray?To be sure, not exactly the same as we pray. Often many of us structure our prayer time with the acrostic ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). But not Jesus! There was never any confession, ever! But we can be sure there was plenty of adoration, thanksgiving, and petition. No doubt, Jesus prayed for himself. What lay before him was the greatest challenge ever conceived. He also prayed for his disciples one by one. Remember what he said to Peter? “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:31). Before the Devil ever made his move, Christ had already prayed for Peter. And then, as the context tells us, Jesus prayed for the sinners around him. He saw what was in Capernaum, and he knew what he would encounter in coming days. So he prayed accordingly. Above all, there was the joy of exchange of soul between him and the Father (Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark: Jesus, servant and savior (p. 49). Westchester, IL: Crossway Books.).
If we spent more time in prayer before we made decisions and confronted problems and temptations, we would spend less time in prayer pleading for deliverance from the trouble we got into from lack of prayer. Prayer before our experiences is better than prayer after our experiences (John G. Butler. Analytical Bible Expositor: MARK. 2008. Published by LBC Publications Clinton, Iowa 52732)
It may seem strange to us that Jesus, the Son of God, felt the need to spend time praying to and communing with his heavenly Father, but only until we remember he was also truly human. As such he too was dependent upon God. However, in one respect his prayers were not identical with ours. They were not prayers for the forgiveness of sins, for he had none. In his prayers he talked with his heavenly Father about the work that lay before him and thus found strength for his task. On this particular morning he may well have discussed with the Father whether he should remain longer in Capernaum or begin taking his message into other areas of Galilee. The Father’s answer was clear in the words of Jesus to his disciples and in his subsequent action (Wicke, H. E. (1988). Mark (pp. 28–29). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.).
He sought His Father’s will before He acted. His strength is in prayer through which he affirms his intention to fulfill the will of God, which means his submission to the judgment of God (Lane, W. L. (1974). The Gospel of Mark (p. 82). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
One thing that Jesus continually recognized in prayer is that the directive He often received ran counter to human comfort. From the time of testing in the desert to the pain of facing the cross, Jesus asks if it be possible, that the cup of His suffering be taken away, nevertheless not His will be done, but His Father in heaven.
When we go to God in prayer are we prepared for the answer or temporary lack of answer? It’s been said that if you don’t want the answer, don’t ask the question. Just like Jesus’ responses, the answer and directive we receive from God will most likely be the most difficult but upon hindsight, but most advancing of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus attached great importance to prayer. He himself prayed when he was baptized (Luke 3:21); just before choosing the twelve disciples (Luke 6:12); in connection with, and after, the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:41, 46; cf. Matt. 14:19, 23); when he was about to ask his disciples an important question (Luke 9:18); on the mountain where he was transfigured (Luke 9:28); just before extending the tender invitation, “Come to me all who are weary …” (Matt. 11:25–30; Luke 10:21); just before he taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1); at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:41, 42); for Peter, before the denial (Luke 22:32); during the night of the institution of the Lord’s Supper (John 17; cf. 14:16); in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32, 35, 36, 39; cf. Matt. 26:39, 42, 44; Luke 22:42); on the cross (Luke 23:34; Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46; Luke 23:46); and after his resurrection (Luke 24:30). These references must be considered as being merely examples of a much more extensive life of prayer and thanksgiving.
Please turn to Matthew 6 (p.811)
All the previous examples are ones where Jesus prayed for Himself. In the most telling instruction for us, in what is called the Lord`s prayer, it is really instructions for disciples. Jesus said:
Matthew 6:6-15 [6]But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. [7]"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8]Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9]Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [10]Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11]Give us this day our daily bread, [12]and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13]And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (ESV)
What can we determine then from the questions we asked about the description of Jesus`s prayer in Mark 1 with the prescriptive commands in Matthew 6? First, Jesus rose very early in the morning while it was still dark to pray. Is morning is the best time to pray? Matthew 6 simply says: ``when you pray``. It does not command a time. 1 Thes. 5:17, says pray without ceasing. Secondly, Jesus went out to a desolate ∕ lonely ∕deserted place, to pray. Matthew 6 said we should pray to our Father who is in secret and not with empty phrases to be heard by others. Jesus would also pray in public, so the important thing to remember is to whom we are praying. Finally, notice the context of Mark 1 with the needs mentioned in Matthew 6. In Mark 1 Jesus was praying for others, and to the Father for guidance in ministry. In Matthew 6, we see the need to first to praise the Father and seek His will over our own. The focus of the prayer is the advancement of His purposes∕Kingdom, recognizing our continual need of him for necessities, the need to be in harmony with others and awareness of pitfalls in accomplishing the mission. In short, prayer is a preparation for action, for ministry.
Illustration: Martin Luther was an insatiable worker. He drove himself mercilessly. Up at daybreak, he put in long hours studying, translating, and writing. Think of his massive commentaries. Think of translating the entire New Testament from Erasmus’s Greek into a common language in eleven short weeks! Yet Luther took time to pray an hour or two each day. He said he prayed a lot because he had so much to do (Jones, G. C. (1986). 1000 illustrations for preaching and teaching (p. 299). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
2) Expectations through Prayer (Mark 1:36-37)
Mark 1:36 [36]And Simon and those who were with him searched for him [37]and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." (ESV)
If Jesus had spent the night at Simon’s house, this might explain why Simon is mentioned so prominently in verse 36. But it is probable that almost from the beginning this man Simon—that is, Peter—was, on account of his very character or personality, considered a leader. This seemingly innocuous intrusion and Peter’s more infamous opposition in 8:32–33, which forms a watershed in Mark, are curiously alike. In both passages Simon Peter is the only disciple named, and in both he tries to prevent Jesus from fulfilling his mission. Discipleship consists not in attempting to control God’s work but in following God’s Son (Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 66). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos).
Do you sometimes get the sense in prayer that you are trying to get God to do something? This should most likely be a first indication that we are not inquiring of God or trying to observe His actions.
“Those who were with him”; shall we say Andrew, James, and John? On the basis of verses 16–20 this would seem natural, but there may also have been others (see John 1:43–45).
In the context of prayer, prayer must be for others in content without being for them in recognition. Individual, group or corporate prayer must not eliminate the other. One is not a substitute for the others. Individual prayer helps us to focus our heart and need for repentance. Group prayer helps us minister to each other and have a special bond of fellowship. Corporate prayer helps us with our collective identity and purpose in Christ. From the prayer we have just seen in Matthew 6, all three of these areas are dealt with.
These men in Mark 1 diligently searched for Jesus with eager determination. They were determined to find him. They found Jesus. Their intention was to bring him right back to Capernaum, where “everybody,” that is, a large crowd of people—perhaps gathered again in front of Peter’s house—was looking for Jesus. Excitedly the disciples inform Jesus about this. Yet, there is a note of reproach in the statement, “Everyone is looking for you,” which means, What are you doing here when you should be in the midst of the multitude who are clamoring for you? (Lane, W. L. (1974). The Gospel of Mark (p. 82). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
One of the hardest barriers to prayer is the constant nagging of something else to do. Our minds tend to nag us about doing something else if we pray. We say to ourselves that we have so much to do, that we just don’t have time to pray. Yet it is because of this point that we must pray.
Because there we so many demands on Christ, He needed to be centered in the will of God and focused on the mission. That would only come through prayer.
Please turn to Jeremiah 29 (P.656)
Faith is a necessary prerequisite for prayer. In searching and finding the lord certain things are necessary and certain things must be avoided. As Peter and the others searched for and found Jesus, they were diligently looking for Him. Notice Jeremiah 29:
Jeremiah 29:10-14 [10]"For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. [11]For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare (peace) and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12]Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13]You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. [14]I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (ESV)
Although Jesus was found in Mark 1:37, when diligently sought, He is not going to allow the people in general, or even his disciples, to tell him where he should go. Apparently the disciples think Jesus will be pleased to know that “Everyone is looking for you”. They do not understand that this popular and shallow reception of him was the very reason he withdrew to pray(Wessel, W. W. (1984). Mark. (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.)The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.).
There is a popular notion that prayer is good for everyone. All that is important is that you pray. Everyone is looking for god in prayer. The question is to whom exactly are you seeking and for what purpose. If it is to some general spirit, then it is not godly prayer. If it is to present a laundry list of requests then it is not submitting ourselves first before the almighty God of the universe.
The Disciples want Jesus to return to Capernaum where He is popular because of His healings. While it does remain for a while his center of operations, his headquarters, he does not wish to confine himself to that one city. In prayer, why might we not get what we ask for?
Please turn to James 4 (P.1012)
Following the lessons learned from Mark 1 and what we are to pray for in Matthew 6, we need to pray first for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. That means recognizing that God`s objectives, timing and ways come first. If we seek God to first do what we want, in our time and our way, we will be sorely disappointed.
James 4:1-10 [4:1]What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? [2]You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. [3]You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. [4]You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [5]Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? [6]But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." [7]Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8]Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9]Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10]Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (ESV)
The world will have different objectives, timing and ways to accomplish things. Before the disciples came to Christ, they needed to repent of sin, and seek His will first. Our expectations in prayer must always be informed and desire for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Christ was not controlled by popularity. He never let popular opinion dictate His actions. How unlike so many today who guide their conduct almost solely on public opinion—that is, what is popular with people. They look to see which way the crowd is going and then go that way. If they looked to see what way God was going, it would often, if not always, be the opposite way of the crowd. We pray to seek God’s will first, before our personal preferences or popular opinion (John G. Butler. Analytical Bible Expositor: MARK. 2008. Published by LBC Publications Clinton, Iowa 52732).
Illustration: A few years ago, David McKenna invited Billy Graham to be the commencement speaker at Seattle Pacific University. Commencement is a grand occasion of celebration for us, held in the exquisite Seattle Opera House with a capacity crowd. Pulling out all stops, David glamorized the invitation for Dr. Graham. He listened patiently, mused a moment and then answered, “David, I am flattered by your invitation, but I must say ‘No.’ You see, God has called me to be an evangelist, preaching the gospel to sinners. I would find it a joy to be with you, knowing that I would be among Christian friends, but if I said ‘Yes,’ I would have to turn down an invitation to preach where other men have not preached.” Graciously and humbly, Billy Graham shared the motive of Jesus when He said, “Let us go into the next towns” (v. 38). If all Christians followed Jesus in taking their witness to the next person, the next neighborhood, the next town, and the next nation, the Great Commission would soon be fulfilled. (McKenna, D. L., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Mark (Vol. 25, pp. 50–51). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc).
3) Actions from Prayer (Mark 1:38-39)
Mark 1:38-39 [38]And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." [39]And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. (ESV)
Jesus` directive in verse 38 ``Let us go” shows that Jesus wishes to have his disciples remain with him as he goes on this tour through the Galilean towns and villages. The reason He was praying was for action. The central action for the kingdom is preaching.
In our prayer life must be to ask God to help us understand His message, live that message, to whom are we to share that message and how. We need to pray for a compassionate heart to share that message that we do so in the spirit of Christ.
Through preaching Jesus was fulfilling the very purpose of the Savior’s departure from heaven and coming to earth. He explains that purpose in His statement: for that is why I came out. He “came out∕forth” not just from Nazareth, or from Capernaum, but definitely from heaven. (John 1:11, 12; 6:38; 8:42; 13:3; 18:37).
Please turn to John 6 (P.891)
People`s prayer lives often revolve around their immediate wants. In John 6, a crowd began to follow Jesus for the physical benefits that He could provide. He clarified His mission to this crowd.
John 6:26-40 [26]Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. [27]Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." [28]Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" [29]Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." [30]So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? [31]Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" [32]Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. [33]For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." [34]They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." [35]Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. [36]But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. [37]All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. [38]For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. [39]And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. [40]For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (ESV)
A godly prayer life centers on the will and mission of Christ. It is not one that seeks material benefits but looks to share the message of Christ. It seeks the Kingdom of God, before earthly rule. It seeks to share the word of God to encourage belief and result in eternal life.
Finally, in verse 39, Jesus one again links the signs that He performs with His mission and message. Mark’s terse statement summarizes a preaching tour that must have lasted for weeks, or even months (cf. Mt 4:23, 24) (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.).
Jesus went throughout all Galilee. The Romans had divided the land of Israel into three separate regions: Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. Galilee was the northernmost region, an area about sixty miles long and thirty miles wide. Jesus did much of his ministry in this area, an ideal place for him to teach because there were over 250 towns concentrated there, with many synagogues where Jesus could proclaim his message, the Good News. Many of the towns were marketing villages that served the rich agricultural community. The Jewish historian Josephus notes that even the small towns had about fifteen thousand people (Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark (p. 40). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)
Just as feeding the crowd was an introduction to His proclamation that He is the bread of life, so too His preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons proclaims His message and authenticates it. The preaching of the word preceded the demonstration of miracles, showing that the miracles backed up the authority of the Messiah’s proclamations (Cooper, R. L. (2000). Mark (Vol. 2, p. 15). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
All of this was preceded by prayer. Jesus’ prayer life was planned, private, and prolonged. He got up early enough, got far enough away, and stayed at it long enough (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
Finding time to pray is not easy, but prayer is the vital link between us and God. If we attempt to live with little or no prayer in our lives, we may find our grace, strength, and peace diminished. We need the mind of Christ to serve him. We cannot rely merely on spontaneous prayer, but must set aside time for prolonged and deeper communication with God. Like Jesus, we must break away from others to talk with God, even if we have to get up very early in the morning to do it! (Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark (p. 38). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)
God wants us to center our life on His mission and message. Prayer is the vehicle by which we seek to adore Him, confess our sins to Him, thank Him for His provision and seek to advance His kingdom. Our job is to be faithful in seeking Him in prayer in order to be used by Him in mighty ways.
(Format Note: Some base commentary from Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 10: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark. New Testament Commentary (67–74). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House..)
