Healing, Cleansing and Resting

Mark 1:29-39

In last week's story from Mark, Jesus had begun to make a name for himself. People begin to recognize him as one who comes with remarkable authority, as even the unclean spirits obey him. In this week's story, this budding fame blossoms as Jesus continues his ministry of healing and cleansing in Capernaum. Suddenly crowds are gathering around Jesus, bringing all who were sick or possessed. Mark says that the whole city was gathered around his door!

But halfway through this passage there is a major shift. The crowds are clamouring at his door in the evening, but early the next morning Jesus slips out to a deserted place to pray. When his confused disciples finally hunt him down, Jesus tells them that it's time to move on. Time to continue proclaiming the good news in the neighbouring towns as well.

There's a whole lot we could take from this story, especially in terms of Jesus' rhythms of work and rest. Jesus knows that for his ministry of healing, cleansing and caring to become a proclamation of God's good news, he will have to remain connected to the source. Apart from prayer, apart from a deep connection to his identity and mission in God, none of these good works are possible. Even Jesus needs to recharge, to remember who he is and what he's doing. And here this re-orientation to his calling turns Jesus in a different direction. Away from Capernaum and its adoring crowds, towards other places that also need to see and hear the Kingdom proclaimed in Jesus' ministry.

We could draw all sorts of parallels for ourselves and our mission/calling/identity as members of Christ's body at SJMC. Do all of the good things we do remain connected to the source in Christ - who not only proclaims but embodies the Good News of the gospel? Are we tuned to healthy rhythms of rest and prayer? Are we open to having our ministry re-oriented and re-directed, or do we cling to the affirmation that comes from those things we do well and those people who appreciate us? There's lots here that pokes and prods. What strikes you?