Following after Jesus #41

After a busy Sabbath in the synagogue, then a late night healing session in the home of Simon Peter and Andrew, Mark records:
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.

Sometimes, humanly speaking, it seemed like Jesus had a hearing problem. But He did not; He was actually listening well to His Father, and following His plan. Mark tells us, again from the perspective of Peter, that Jesus had this pattern: when He had a busy day, He took time to pray.  What that often meant for His disciples was that they would end up with a change in plans.  Their plan was abundantly clear: Go back to town, to Peter's house, where everyone who did not get there yesterday was waiting in line for Him.  But God's plan was different; it was for Him to go to other towns, to other synagogues, and engage in spiritual battle there.  Yes, He would heal many in many places, but what happened when He went to the Synagogue and taught? He encountered the man with the unclean spirit. So, here in Mark 1:39, that is what is mentioned: not that He would go to the synagogues and heal, but cast out demons.  Let's put this all together. Most of our prayers are quick and limited to physical issues. Jesus prayed differently. He led His disciples to think, and pray, about the holiness of God, and deliverance from the evil one. Let us not look upon our day as surviving our physical ailments. Let us look on our day and pray for strength and wisdom as we go into spiritual battle.