Sunday message - "Bouncing Back" (Mark 1:29-39)

Introduction



From the very beginning of Jesus’ three-year ministry … he was busy. We see this in Mark chapter 1 verses 29-39. Jesus went to a private home, was confronted with a very ill host, and healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. A crowd then gathered … expecting Jesus to meet all their needs (we read “the whole city” in fact) … and Jesus cured the sick and cast out the demons. Wherever Jesus went, people were searching for him (v.37). Despite being the Son of God, we should never underestimate the toll this would have taken on Jesus. Jesus was facing off against immense evil.



So, we should definitely note the central part of this passage – verse 35. Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to rest and spend time with God. This was clearly necessary, and clearly related to the busyness of his ministry and the many challenges ahead of him. This all shows that Jesus was fully human – that he needed to step aside, be quiet, rest, and spend quality time with God … no doubt for all sorts of reasons.



We note that Jesus withdrew for prayer when it was still dark. Now this is often related to the benefit of early morning prayer, which is true. But the mention of “darkness” in the gospels … is also related to strong and significant challenges that need to be faced. Jesus was certainly wanting to do some serious work with God. The very presence of many illnesses and deep spiritual needs, and the expectations around Jesus to bring healing, would certainly be enough to bring Jesus to his knees. The time taken up by this would have likely been exhausting. Let alone all the decisions that needed to be made … around where he and the disciples would have to travel in sharing the Gospel.



This also shows, that, if Jesus needed to quietly withdraw to rest and pray, then, we would certainly need to do that very same thing – for all sorts of reasons. Jesus, being Jesus, being God, was able to rebound quickly (really quickly)! We could say that, when the disciples found Jesus – he wasn’t really given much choice (but to reengage). Probably, Jesus’ disciples did not yet understand this crucial need of quiet times of prayer. Jesus was able to get straight back into it; we, however, at times, are likely to need longer serious periods of special time with God.



Life’s Bumpy Road



Life is complex; life is often complicated. Pressures can come from many directions … sometimes all at once. Just think of the various struggles that come across your path at any given time!! Anyone, at any time, can just need to find space to be with themselves … and with God. Life can seem unfair. We can feel battered, bruised and broken. The world can seem to be moving too fast. There is too much happening. There are too many voices (which can tend to block out the voice of God). We can easily become tired, overwhelmed, reactive, disappointed – spinning out, and second-guessing everything.



Just recently, 5 or 6 weeks ago, this happened to me. There was a lot happening, my mind was full (cluttered), I could no longer think clearly, I was basically spent of all energy. In hindsight, this would have been building for a while, but crept up on me, and then hit hard. I needed to go away. I needed to take stock and clear my mind, and make sure that I could get some clear perspective. There were certain issues that I needed to deal with, and for this I needed some time, and some measure of quiet.



For me to leave suddenly, and go on leave, would not be ideal. It certainly wasn’t ideal for those, like John and Adam, who would have to pick up a lot of the slack. Yet, it was necessary for me. I regret those who may have been disconcerted by this, at the same time as appreciating all those who understood my need of rest. I thank all those who have taken on extra responsibilities; and you would have seen more of what team ministry looks like.



The lesson is, of course, to recognise the need to balance and blend our lives well – always taking time to withdraw into sacred spaces of prayer and encouragement and refreshment. Any of us who are giving out, in any sphere of ministry or community or family, must have resources coming back in. We should not ignore the signs of needing quiet rest or special time with God.



The disciples of Jesus’ day would have to learn … that ministry into their community … would require significant pressing into the empowerment and wisdom of God. So let us NEVER try to do things alone, or simply in our own limited strength, or according to our own views of what is right or important – but rather withdraw into an undistracted conversation with God.



Sometimes we can be so badly affected, that we can’t find the way, or the words, to get out of this situation and go forward. Let’s then remember that Jesus promised to be with us forever and everywhere. God’s Spirit is close to us. The Holy Spirit is breathing in us and through us! Our deepest needs are known to God. And that’s not about parking places, or areas of comfort – but rather about what really is happening in the depths of our being. God’s Spirit will speak the words that will be divinely interpreted toward our good. We just need to put ourselves in this Divine space – withdrawing, like Jesus, to be with God!



Divine Resources



Sometimes we will also need that great and abiding resource of Scripture. That reads like a complete understatement! For instance, Paul writes about seeing our weakness as an opportunity to experience God’s strength. We should not fight against our human frailty, but rather embrace God working in our lives (bringing us to the completion God wants to bring). In the context of Paul desiring his “thorn in the flesh” (that was tormenting him) to be taken away, he writes (in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10):

Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul seems to have taken some time to come to this conclusion. Yet, it was probably the single most important concept Paul had to learn! God’s grace is an extraordinary (yet often untapped) resource for us to experience. It should NOT be our last resort to withdraw and pray for God’s grace to fully fall upon us – this is the most sensible, humble, proactive, life-giving, effective … thing we can do! Our own abilities will NOT change the world, but rather … making ourselves available for God’s grace to work through us.



The biblical psalms can help us a whole lot here. Various psalms can lead us into prayer, and then, when we seem short of words to express ourselves, speak the words that we feel. Let me share with you four different segments from the Psalms that I have recently found helpful. In any search for guidance, reassurance, security and healing … these words are remarkably powerful.



Psalm 121 verses 1-2 & 8 … brings an invitation to pray, and gives a sense of the guidance we will receive from such prayer:

I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Now, we are not short of hills to look towards here, from where we appreciate the greatness of our Creator. We might sometimes forget who we can go to for help, or life’s disappointments lead us to ask the question. But having coming to faith … we soon answer in the affirmative … that God will help us! We are being encouraged to bring to God the areas of life that worry us, or cause us to feel alone, or where we feel weak and lack hope; and it is an act of both humility and maturity to do so! Where we put our trust firmly and resolutely in God … ultimately we will never be disappointed. Even when a (certain) door closes, another one is sure to open!



Psalm 3 verses 3-5 … brings a reassurance that God hears and addresses our needs:

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.

From those “hills” that we have cast our eyes towards, comes a Divine response. It might not be always instantly clear, but it is coming! It might not always be what we expected or wanted, but it will be the best available!! God knows what we need most. God understands what we face. We may not always understand what God is up to, but God is undoubtedly working away in our best interests – good things will happen just at the right time! And … here … is a great image for me to hold on to – God is the One that lifts my head … whenever something goes wrong. Because God accepts me [and you], and values me [and you], and I belong to Jesus – my head is lifted!!



Psalm 34 verses 4-6 … reflect on a total turnaround in the way life looks, and brings a new security:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

Not only can our head be lifted, but once again our face can be radiant i.e. light-filled. This is, again, because of God’s grace (the Divine favour that comes upon us) … which leads to forgiveness – the lifting of all guilt and shame. The trouble … that our own minds keep rewinding back to … and even predicting to reoccur … is quelled by the loving presence of God in our lives – that brings a peace that surpasses all understanding. Fears are dealt with … such that our faith has space to grow! Whenever trauma reappears, our resilience and daily coping mechanisms have grown to higher levels.



Psalm 147 verse 3 – in the context of the verses 4 & 5 … reminds us of God’s desire and availability and power to heal us:

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

The God who created the universe out of nothing so long ago, and knows everything in creation intently and intimately – cares for me and for you … and will not stop at anything to see us redeemed, healed, and in relationship with Jesus. As each of the stars are named, so God surely knows our name (and all about us). God continues to love us, despite anything and everything, and continues to seek us out. We might scratch our heads about what is happening to us and around us – but we can know that God understands all the complexity of this world, and will respond in exactly the right ways.



Conclusion



The question is: why is all this so important? Especially to me … maybe to you to. Yes, we need to keep growing in our relationship with Jesus and dependence upon God. Yes, we need to become more resilient, and develop in character that aptly represents the character of Jesus. Yes, we need to be enjoying God, and growing into maturity … into the image of Christ. And yes, we need to recognise the lost world around us – that needs to know about Jesus – that needs to be offered a witness to the wonderful things Jesus can do in life when given the opportunity. And yes, we need to maximise the potential of the church to change outcomes for people.



Everything we do … needs to be firmly rooted in, and grow out of, our relationship with God. Jesus was quickly able to bounce back into his life of service … each and every time that ministry was available to him. As we saw earlier in Mark chapter 1 – when his disciples came to him with any particular need, Jesus was able to respond in the best possible way. That was because Jesus was wholly focussed on God, God’s Kingdom on earth, and God’s will; and Jesus maintained that focus through withdrawing into God’s intimate presence whenever he needed to.



Now, we might take a little longer to bounce back than Jesus did. But, bounce back we can. Bounced back … I have. Let us always remember to press into God. And let us be God’s people together, God’s church in this locality, God’s body in this place – that will be prepared to love and encourage one another enough … that we can each (freely) withdraw into that special place of healing, security, reassurance and guidance … that is, God’s wonderful presence. Amen.