Let's finish up Mark 1.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
During my walk/run everyday I take time out for a few minutes to go and sit on an abandoned dock to watch and hear the water and pray. There has always been something about the sound of water that completely relaxes me and draws me close to talking to God. At that place, I can tell Him anything and everything and it seems all the trials of life are put back into perspective during those times. Even Jesus needed time alone to speak with His Father. It also said that his friends went out to look for Him. So many things pull at us each day, when we try and have quiet time with God. We get interrupted and we miss that time with God. Its important to have those places where your kids, friends, family, cell phones, and yes, even your husband can't interrupt your time with Him. Go find that place and sit and spend some time with your Heavenly Father today.
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Filled with compassion, He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
I heard a friend teach on this lately, and he pointed out that Jesus did not have to touch the man in order for him to be healed. Jesus could have just spoken the man's healing. In the Jewish times, when someone had leprosy, no one could touch them, they were sent into exile to live with other lepers. This man probably had not been touched in years because of his disease. We all need physical touch in our lives, and it is most certainly a sign of affection. Can you imagine not being touched for years? Yet Jesus, even though in the people's eyes he would become unclean, knew this man's need, not only to be healed, but to reach out and touch him for the first time in years, and cleanse him of his disease.
God always knows exactly what we need when we need it. He simply asks us to believe Him and trust Him to accomplish His will in our lives. And at those times when He touches us and we feel overwhelmed by His mercy and grace to once more touch us, we can't help but share with others what He has done in our lives.
He touched me
Bill Gaither
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
Now I am no longer the same.
He touched me, oh He touched me
And oh the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.
Since I met the blessed Saviour
Since He cleansed and made me whole
I will never cease to praise Him
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.
