In this morning’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:29-39) we are continuing with Mark’s fast paced story of the ministry of Jesus, his first four disciples, and their mission to the world. After preaching and healing in the local synagogue, they have gone to the home of Simon and Andrew to seek both refreshment and rest. But first Jesus will have to heal Simon’s Mother-in-law of her affliction before she can prepare food and wait upon them. And now, their time of rest can begin, but as the sun sets the whole city is gathering around the door, for they have brought those who are either sick or possessed. Jesus would not turn them away, and so he must work late into the evening and the night.
Jesus did have a chance to sleep a little. But well before sun rise he went out to be alone; to be in prayer. If you have not made a point of setting aside, in your own busy schedule, a special time each day for prayer, then I would suggest that you consider beginning to do so soon. Maybe you could start with this week, or maybe you might want to try setting aside a special time for prayer during this coming season of Lent. It was during his time of prayer that Simon and his companions found Jesus.
“When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’”[1] Now, my first temptation is to question the word everyone that Simon and his companions have used for I’m sure that the Emperor of Roman was not searching that morning for Jesus. I know that phrasing the use of the word this way so being a pain, but sometimes that’s the way I respond. And then I realized that hidden within their question there is a much bigger question. What is everyone searching for?
The truth is that almost everyone is indeed searching for something. Maybe they are looking for where they have left the car key, or just where did they set down their wallet? Maybe they are looking for massive piles of worldly wealth, or just how to find true happiness? Maybe they know that deep inside there is an emptiness, and they are trying desperately to find sometime that will fill that great void within theirselves?
If you really are searching for Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit … if you are really seeking the will of God within your life, then you do need to find a closer relationship with Jesus. You really are searching for the real Jesus. There is a lot to be discovered by reading the Gospels and the entire Bible. There is a lot to be learned by praying to be shown a clearer vision of what is the true will of God within our lives.
The choice is ours to make. We can choose to listen to the loudly calling voices of this world telling us what are the greatest treasures and values to be possessed and practiced … or we can spend a little more time visiting with God … asking for a clearer understanding of what it means to be a part of the family of God. Unlike the other life forms that share this world with us, we have been given the power of choice. We can choose to search for worldly treasures, or we can search for a deeper and closer relationship with our Creator. And the greatest of the God given gifts … it’s our choice.
[1] Mark 1:37 NRSV
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