A TIME AWAY

Dr. Richard J. Henderson February 5, 2006

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Psalm 147:1-12 (responsive)
Mark 1:29-39

Introduction

Eleven women from our church went away for the Zaccheus retreat two weeks ago. They enjoyed a time away where they could find rest, center on their faith, develop friendships, and strengthen their relationship with God. I've heard what a wonderful experience it was.

Every year the Session of our church goes away for a prayer and planning at a retreat. We spend the time praying for God's will for our church, looking at what we can do in the future, evaluating where we have been, and setting goals for the coming year. It is a time to pray, dream, and think creatively. It is an important time away.

I

In our gospel reading today we find Jesus busy healing people. He goes to Peter's house and finds his mother-in-law very ill. Jesus goes to her and heals her. Then word must have gotten out because by evening hundreds of people come to the house to be healed by Jesus. Mark says, "The whole city was gathered around the door." It may not have been every individual in the city, but those who suffered with illnesses - fever, epilepsy, leprosy - came to see if this man could heal them. They were desperate.

Crowded around that doorway, people must have been pushing and elbowing to make sure they got to see him. Imagine if you suffered a debilitating illness and had a chance to be healed, wouldn't you be trying to be sure Jesus saw you?

All of this is tiring for Jesus - not just the work of it, but what each healing drains from him. The movie Jesus Christ Superstar did a good job of depicting what Jesus must have felt like after a long day of healing people. The film showed him healing those who clamored for his help, and then showed how exhausted he was afterward. Picture how Jesus felt after a long evening of healing people.

II

Early the next morning, long before the sun comes up, Jesus gets up and goes out to a desolate place, and he prays alone. It's still dark as Jesus finds his way out beyond the city limits to a quiet place where he prays. After all the crowds and all the demands on him, he needs to be alone in prayer with God.

His own healing - after all the healing he has done - comes from being alone in a dark and desolate place, and praying. Praying in the silence and solitude of the early morning renews Jesus.

III

Jesus had to be active - healing, helping, curing; but he also needed to pull back and be alone. He must be teaching - but he also must be praying. Jesus does a great deal to help hundreds of people, but he also needs to be alone in prayer to God.

All thru Jesus' ministry we find this cycle of hard work and then withdrawal in prayer. Jesus helps people - healing the sick, teaching the disciples - then he goes away by himself and talks with God. In his ministry this cycle continues: being with crowds then with drawing to be alone in prayer; healing people then pulling away to be renewed by God; actively ministering to people, then going into solitude with his Lord. This is an important cycle in Jesus' ministry.

IV

Come to think of it, this is like the cycle God has given us. In the fourth commandment, God gave us a cycle of working six days and then resting for one. That cycle of work and Sabbath rest is important for our wellbeing. If we work all the time, we are exhausted and ineffective. If we rest all the time, we are bored and apathetic. God gave us a cycle of work and rest.

Sometimes people will brag, "I haven't taken a vacation in three years." I'm not impressed; I'm worried, because that's not healthy. Have you heard the commercials for the banks that are open on Sundays? If that's a trend, it's not a healthy one.

We were not meant to run seven days a week. The cycle of work and rest is crucial. Actually, every day we have a cycle of working two thirds of the time and sleeping one third. We are meant to be busy, and we are also meant to rest, heal, reflect, and pray. Life is healthy when it is lived in that cycle.

V

If you just completed a difficult project or are about to begin one, that time away for rest and preparation is important. Several years ago Corazon Aquino went away for a week of prayer up in the hills of the Philippines before deciding whether to run for president of that country. She asked for God's will, prayed for the strength she needed, and asked for God's help.

When we face a significant challenge, it is wise to schedule time away to pray and reflect on what is ahead. Ask for God's will and pray for the strength you will need. Also if, like Jesus, you have been through a lot, and you're exhausted, take the time to recover, heal, talk with God, and renew your strength.

Conclusion

We have this example from Jesus. He's been through a great deal and he's tired. So he goes away by himself in the cool silence of early morning and he prays. When the disciples hunt him down, he's ready to move on. He tells them he knows why he has been sent, and it is important for them to move on to other cities so more people can hear God's word. In rest and prayer, he is renewed.

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2006