Untitled Sermon

Jesus: Too Busy Not To Pray

Mark 1:32–44 NKJV

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

I:

Now the sick are coming to Him, and more demon possessed people.

a. He healed many and continued to cast out demons.

b. Once again He refuses to allow the demons to speak.

c. His fame has spread, as John B.’s had earlier.

2. Jesus, after a busy day and night, wakes up early to go be with His Father.

a. Jesus prayed, think about that.

b. This is truly convicting, if Jesus prayed, as busy as He was and as the God-man, what excuse do I have, we have. Luther quote.

c. We have no idea what He prayed or for how long.

d. Prayer is central for a believer. Why is that, what is it, how do we do it?

e. Jesus willingly heads to the wilderness not to combat Satan but to embrace the Father.

3. The disciples find Him and said, “Everyone is looking for You.”

a. Jesus does not admonish them but exhorts them.

b. He has come to preach and off they go!

c. The crowds wanted a show, miracles, this is not why Jesus came.

3. The disciples find Him and said, “Everyone is looking for You.”T

II:

A leper begs Jesus and acknowledges Jesus’ power and asks Him to heal him.

a. Jesus touches the leper and grants his desire.

b. The leper was healed at the word of Jesus.

c. Jesus warned him and instructed him:

-be quiet

-show himself to the priests.

-Jesus was fulfilling the law, not destroying it, yet He was One who could touch lepers and could heal, unlike the law.

d. The leper didn’t listen and told everyone!

e. Jesus had to leave the city and go to the wilderness.

-a great exchange: he who was unclean was clean, He who was clean was now “unclean”, .