The Gospel of Mark: An Unending Story
How to Have a Successful Quiet Time (Bible Study)
In this passage of today, Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us the importance of spending a quality time with our heavenly father. The Scripture reads:
(Mark 1:35-39 NIV) 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.
There are some principles for having successful quiet time in this passage.
1. Remove Yourself to a Solitary Place
(Mark 1:35 NIV) 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.
We found out in this passage that the following morning, Jesus had to find a solitary place to pray. From all indications, Jesus has not rested enough after the ministration of the previous night. As such, he got up and got out of the area at an early hour when no one could detect his departure. The early hour explains how He got out of town undetected. Jesus wanted a place of solitude that is far removed from all possible distractions and cares that could disturb his solitude. The word translated “solitary place” here is the Greek word eremos which was the word that was translated “desert” in Mark 1:3-4 , 12-13
This Greek word means:
1) Solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited
a) Used of places
1) A desert, wilderness
2) deserted places, lonely regions
3) An uncultivated region fit for pasturage
b) Used of persons
1) Deserted by others
2) Deprived of the aid and protection of others, especially of friends, acquaintances, kindred
3) Bereft
a) Of a flock deserted by the shepherd
b) Of a woman neglected by her husband, from whom the husband withholds himself
In this context, translating this word as “desert” will be inappropriate due to the geographical location of where Jesus Christ was at this time. In view of this, it is better to understand the Greek word: eremos as a solitary place. Jesus went to a solitary place that is unhindered, to pray. He demonstrated to us the importance of replenishing one’s spiritual energy through prayer. Jesus showed to us here that He is dependent on God the father for his energy, strength, authority and power. The concept of having a daily quiet time is derived from the teachings of Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ stepped out to a solitary place to pray. Why? To avoid distraction. We should have a time when we pray to God without any hindrance of any kind.
Jesus believes in prayer. He practiced and taught on the subject. He once said the following to His disciples when they inquired of him as to how he was able to perform a miracle. Hear what he said to his disciples:
The Bible says, (Mark 9:29 NIV)He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
(Mark 9:29 KJV )And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
2. Recognize Distractions. 36-37
(Mark 1:36-37 NIV) Simon and his companions went to look for him, {37} and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
The next scene in this episode is so dramatic. The Bible indicates that while he was in a solitary place, Simon and those with him looked for him. Simon and his companions refer to the four disciples which he has called as of this time. They include: Andrew, James, John and Simon. Some biblical scholars also suggested that the companions, perhaps, include Phillip and Nathanael too. Their suggestion is based on this passage in John 1:43-45 .
(John 1:43-45 NIV) The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee . Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." {44} Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida Nazareth
There is something that is worthy of note at this point. It is the fact that this is the first time that Mark, the gospel writer, portrayed Simon as taking a leadership role among the disciples.
Verse 36 says {36} Simon and his companions went to look for him,
Another translation says they went searching for him.
Our English translations of the Greek word used in this verse are polite. But when you look at the meaning of the Greek word used, you will notice that it has the idea of “hunting someone down.” The Greek word used is katadioko. The word can mean “to search for someone, to follow after, or to follow up.” In the context of this passage, it seems as if Simon and his companions engaged in an urgent manhunt of Jesus. According to HCSB “This implies an unwelcome intrusion. Apparently everyone expected more miracles, but Jesus intended to preach, thus returning the focus to the start of His ministry (vv. 14-15).”
Simon and his companions interrupted the quiet time of Jesus. They had good intentions. First, it seems as if they were worried about His whereabouts. Second, they interrupted him in order to inform him that everyone in the city was looking for him. They wanted him to focus on healing the sick and performing miracles. But Jesus changed the entire focus instead.
3. Refuse to Alter Your Agenda Because of People’s demand. 38-39
(Mark 1:38-39 NIV) 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.
Jesus refused to heed the advice of his disciples by not returning to Capernaum Israel Luke 19:10 that says, (Luke 19:10 NIV) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
There is an important lesson to be learned from this context. Jesus eschewed fame and success in order to focus on the preaching of the gospel which is the most important. Many men and women of God in today’s world have exchanged their preaching duty with anything that will bring about success and fame. Jesus will not allow anything to take him off from his primary purpose. He resisted the temptation to become a localized healer at the expense of the preaching of the gospel. Healing is alright. But there is a time for everything. In view of His stance, Jesus moved around, preaching the word of God to people and casting out demons. The Bible says, (Mark 1:39 NIV) So he traveled throughout Galilee , preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
