The author of Mark is so excited to share the good news that he just keeps stacking story after story after story one after another. Jesus is teaching in one part of town and then immediately Jesus is across town healing someone then immediately Jesus and the disciples are going across the Sea to bring the good news somewhere else.
Such is the case with this week's sermon scripture, Mark 1:29-39. Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law at her home, then suddenly people are bringing all sorts of folks who are sick or possessed, and before you know it Jesus is ready to move on to the next town.
But there is one line squeezed into all the action that got my attention this week and worked its way onto the Whiteboard.
In the midst of the rush and busyness, Jesus gets away and finds a silent moment to rest and pray. Once his spirit is replinished (and not a moment sooner) Jesus is ready to move on to that which is next.
This Sunday we'll talk about rhythm and rest -- the gifts of work and prayer and replenishment. Come and join us!
Mark 1:29-39
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.
He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him,
‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him,
‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
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