Imagine spending a day with Jesus. You could observe how he spends his time and how he carries himself. You’d appreciate his generous love toward all people. And you’d see firsthand the secret of his power and grace. Prayerfully reading the Gospels helps us to do this.
Some years ago I helped Howard Baker lead a retreat for ministry leaders. He had us team up to lead an exercise for the group in which we read from Mark chapter one in order to look at an ordinary day (it’s actually more than one day) in Jesus’ life during his public ministry. We did a Bible study, spent some time in prayer, and then shared with one another what God was showing us personally. We were all deeply impacted by this time.
Bible Meditation
I’ve used this exercise in other groups and found it just as helpful so I’d like to share it with you for your personal meditation and for you to share with your group. Here are the steps to follow:
- Read Mark 1:9-45 (text below). Identify each example of Jesus ministering to someone by marking that part of the passage. (I’ve shared my observations in italics.) Note the kind of people he cared for and the variety of ways he connected people with God!
- Re-read Mark 1:9-45. This time identify each example of Jesus practicing a personal spiritual discipline or connecting with the Father in some way – you’ll have to look closely! – and mark the passage in a distinctive way. (I’ve shared my observations in bold.) Notice that Jesus put great time and care into his personal relationship with the Father and he also did this in a variety of ways.
- Consider that Jesus’ fruitful ministry was made possible by how he abided in the Father’s love (which is what he taught in John 15). Again and again we see that it was Jesus intimacy with the Father and the soul care he experienced in that relationship that empowered his ministry to other people.
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (Prelude to the “Day”)
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
The Calling of the First Disciples
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 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.
A Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Personal Spiritual Disciplines Jesus Practiced
Did you notice all the spiritual practices Jesus used to cultivate his own love relationship with the Father? Jesus was the first disciple – a disciple of the Father! He abided in the Father’s love and he bore tremendous fruit for God’s Kingdom out of this love-relationship.
- Submission (verse 9). Jesus’ baptism was an expression of him publicly submitting himself to God through the ministry of John the Baptist.
- Listening Prayer (verse 11). In baptism Jesus was immersed in his Father and the Holy Spirit, each of whom manifested to him. His heart was open. He was listening to God’s voice and heard the most wonderful affirmation, the words that every son or daughter longs to hear from their Father: “You are my beloved son (or daughter) and in you I am well pleased!”
- Extended Retreat for solitude, silence, fasting, meditation on Scripture, and prayer (verse 12-13).
