Jesus Prays

March 7th
Speaker: Travis Cunningham
Text:  Mark 1:35-39 35 And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. 36 Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him; 37 and they found Him and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 He *said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also [v]preach there; for this is why I came.” 39 And He went into their synagogues [w]preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons.

Big Idea:
Jesus, the Son of Man, was a man of prayer.  If Jesus, who was God in the flesh, needed to pray, how much more is prayer a necessity for the saints?  Prayer is an expression of our dependence on God, and so we pray, on all occasions, about all our concerns, without ceasing. 

Isn't it fascinating that Jesus, the Son of God, had to leave the house and get to a secluded place to get to the heart of the Father? I'm sure Jesus was constantly in connection and communion with the Father, but even He had to make the choice to leave and get alone.
It says in verse 36 & 37 that Simon and his companions were searching for Jesus because everyone else was looking for Him. They were eagerly searching for Jesus because the crowds were desperately looking for this Man who was healing the sick and casting out demons. As disciples, why do we eagerly search for Jesus? Is it for notoriety and popularity, or with selfish motives? In the face of crowds who were desperately searching for Jesus, Jesus decides that leaving was the next step to be taken. The love of people, the praise of people, the popularity of crowds shouting your name; these are all things that we as people seek. Yet, Jesus decides to leave it all to fulfill the will of his Father; which was to preach about the gospel of the kingdom. 

Cross References:
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. John 7:18 NASB

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:14-15 NASB

and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 4-5 NASB

Questions to Consider:

It says Jesus went into their synagogues throughout Galilee. Why do you think He targeted the synagogues to preach and cast out demons?  

Does casting out of demons and preaching go hand in hand? 

Do we talk to God about men, or do we talk to men about God more? 

​Do we desire to be known by men or to be known more by the Father?