Solitude for Jesus

Jesus had gone to the synagogue for worship on the Sabbath. During the time of worship a man who was demon possessed cried out during the time that Jesus was teaching. Jesus healed the man and the crowd in the synagogue was amazed. Something new was happening that they had never seen before in their lives. They wondered about this new teaching and began to spread the word about the Lord Jesus.

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was sick and Jesus heals her. As the day comes to an end, the crowds have found their way to Simon's house to find Jesus. In one day, everything has changed. The crowds know about Jesus and come seeking his help. They will never leave him alone again.

What Jesus does next speaks volumes to the need of our lives. Mark records in the first chapter of his gospel these words, "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". (ESV)

He got up early and he left the crowds. We cannot always be with the crowds. In fact the strength of life is never found in the crowds. It is always found in the desolate place. It is in the desolate place that we can be still and know that He is God. It is in the desolate place that we can hear God speak and learn His ways. The desolate place is important. It's importance is best seen when we go back to the crowds. Our influence will be God's Word and not the influence of the crowds.

Where do you go to be still and know God? Where is your desolate place?

New Emphasis with my Blog

My two trips to Costa Rica has caused me to stop and reflect upon what is important in life. I have always known that our hope is to be built upon Jesus Christ and Him alone. It is a fact that we have all grown up with in our lives. My struggle as a pastor has always been a disconnect between people at church and then out in their everyday lives. At church they are so victorious and in life they seem overwhelmed by the problems of family, work, and the world.

I am beginning a new emphasis with my blog on knowing Jesus Christ. The passage that will set the tone for my blogging will be Psalms 46:10. The Psalmist says, "Be still, and know that I am God." (ESV).

I will be writing on the importance of stopping and reflecting upon the work of the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that all I write will be a help to you as you seek to know Jesus, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.