We discover at the beginning of Marks Gospel the call to follow Jesus.  

As the gospel narrative unfolds there will be practices that Jesus lives out that we would do well to imitate. Mark 1:35-39 is one such narrative with a practice to emulate and several takeaways for us to consider. 

3 characters or roles in this narrative? 

Jesus – doing what Jesus does, praying, teaching and healing. This often brought some enlightenment and pause for those who followed him. 

Disciples – trying to understand what they were witnessing with how Jesus conducted himself, as well as what they saw and heard. 

Crowd – enamored with what they were seeing and hearing. Some deeply challenged and others caught up with the spectacle. 

Through Jesus time on earth, he demonstrated the practice and necessity of getting away to spend time with God his Father as a Son. This was a time to refresh, recover, to align and hear from his Father.  

This was a regular Rhythm for him and one that we should practice. 

The crowds often sought the spectacle, the miraculous.  When this becomes our sole purpose for following Jesus we miss him altogether – our following becomes transactional rather than relational. 

Seek and follow Jesus learning the good news of who he is and what he has done for us -through his death and resurrection where we receive his life changing grace and truth by which we discover our Identity, purpose and belonging. 

The disciples were eager but sometimes their enthusiasm was misguided. Be eager, seek Jesus and learn to discern the shepherds voice vs the enemies – John 10:1-10 

Jesus needed time with God the Father and so do we. Time to refresh, surrender, realign ourselves, and to experience his restorative transformation. To worship, trust, receive his grace and mercy knowing that he will never leave nor forsake us.  

Then with confidence we can ask for his guidance wherever and in whatever we find ourselves doing! Declaring he is our God and will be in all our life & for all of our life. 

***Extra thought - enter your daily life, whatever that may be – your vocation, your family, your neighborhood, retirement etc. with a sense of expectancy that God will meet you – that he wants to work in and around you, know and trust that he will lead you. 

  •  You don’t need to do anything extraordinary let the opportunities present themselves, let God lead don’t force things. Be prayerful as you go about your days. 
  • Don’t know how to do your vocation for God’s glory. Ask him what that means - and spend some time listening.  (more than minutes, this could take days or weeks etc.)   
  • Feeling alone and overwhelmed - find a space and seek God. Worship him, declare your trust, surrender to his leading, receive his grace and allow his restorative presence to work in your soul. 

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, Colossians 3:17