How did it change your behavior?
Pressure to perform can cause us to rely on our abilities and skills rather than on God.
In verse 33 below note Jesus early success in ministry.
That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. 34So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases, and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims. But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak. Mark 1:32-34 NLT (Emphasis mine)
Now read the rest of the story.
35The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. 36Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37They said, “Everyone is asking for you.” 38But he replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came.” 39So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people. Mark 1:35-39 NLT
Imagine you are Simon and answer the following questions (Please journal your answers):
- After the evening of Jesus’ successful ministry what are you expecting from Jesus tomorrow?
- What are some of the reasons you go looking for Jesus?
- After you found Jesus praying alone in the wilderness what would you have said or asked him?
- How did Jesus deal with “the crowd at the door”?
After Jesus has been very successful in ministry he rises very early the next morning and goes out into the wilderness to be alone with the Father and pray. He wants to hear God’s instructions for this day. After spending time in prayer he knows he must leave the “crowd at the door” and go preach in other towns.
I’m sure Peter thought Jesus should stay and continue the great ministry of last evening. It does not make sense to leave the crowds that had already gathered for another time of healing and deliverance. The crowds were ready for more of last evenings miraculous ministry.
How do you deal with the “crowd at the door”? Do you feel compelled to respond to those seeking your help? Do requests for help give you a sense of importance and significance? Does it gratify your need to be needed? Do you kick into the performance mode and accelerate your “doing” without listening to God for direction?
My true significance is found in the cross of Christ, in receiving the love of God more fully. Performance shifts me from relying on God for my fulfillment to exercising my gifts and abilities to receive the accolades of the “crowd at the door.”
Effective “doing” or ministry flows out of “being” or my relationship with God. My deepest need is for God’s love not the applause of people. I must be clear about my focus otherwise I will “crash and burn” pursuing God’s calling. Is this what Jesus meant when he said, “And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?” Matthew 16:26 NLT
Read the passage again. Take at least ten minutes and talk to God about your struggle to pray when the crowd is at the door. Reflect and journal your answers to the following questions:
- How does “the crowd at the door” affect your time with God?
- How do you make time for prayer when the demands of ministry press in?
- What is God saying to you about how you should respond “to the crowd at the door?”
- What is your main focus?
- What is the deepest longing of your heart?
- What changes is Jesus asking you to make?
- What do you need to eliminate?
- What do you need to do more of?
- What do you need to do differently?
