April 29, 2016
FIRST THINGS FIRST -- SEEK GOD AND DEPEND ON HIS STRENGTH AND TIMING, NOT YOUR OWN
Mark 1:29–45
Elizabeth Wampler
Central Truth
Jesus depends on God the Father for strength and direction to be FULLY equipped to obey God’s will and perfect timing. Independence can lead to pride, but dependence on God leads to humility.
Key Verse | Mark 1:35, 38
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. . . . And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (Mark 1:35, 38)
Mark 1:29–45
Jesus Heals Many
29 And immediately he 1 1:29 Some manuscripts they left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed 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.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
40 And a leper 2 1:40 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus 3 1:43 Greek he; also verse 45 sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
Dive Deeper | Mark 1:29–45
Imagine getting up at 4 a.m. and then going to a solitary place to focus and spend time talking to God. This is exactly what Jesus does in this passage (verse 35). He depends on God at the beginning of His day. The dictionary defines dependence as “the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else.”
Jesus consciously pulls away from others to be reminded of God’s purpose for His time on earth and to be equipped for the day ahead. He is able to do this by listening to God. Jesus prioritizes His relationship with God and serving others.
Jesus’ healing is based on heartfelt compassion for others (verse 41) and not out of selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3). Jesus has a complete understanding of why He is on the earth—to bring good news to everyone, heal, and proclaim freedom (Isaiah 61:1). Jesus obeys and makes decisions in line with the Father's will. He chooses to go to a different town to preach there (verse 38) and to heal the leper (verse 41).
Jesus listens, obeys, and humbly serves, and He calls us to do the same. If Jesus needed time with God, I clearly need it, too!
For me, this looks like daily spending time with God through reading His Word, meditating on it so it sinks in, and talking to Him. I know every morning I need to be reminded of God’s character (Psalm 103:8) and the purpose He has given me.
When I try to lean on my own strength, energy, and talents to "serve" the Lord, I can clearly see my own weakness and insufficiencies. But when I truly depend on God, I am stronger, my energy is renewed, and I can be a better reflection of God’s love to others.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you have a time, place, and plan to make spending time daily with God a priority? If not, what is holding you back?
2. What does depending on God look like in your daily life?
3. How are you serving others (at your school, job, home, church, neighborhood)?