Solitaire for Two

Mk 1:29-39 (NIV) As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, 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. 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. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Introduction

·         Need cards!!

·         Angel and solitaire. Today my little sister is a mild-mannered elementary school teacher and mother of four. We’ve always called her Angel. I’ve never quite understood why. Perhaps because her given name is Angela. Anyway, back in the day, she was a card shark. Shuffling. Winning. She used to sit and play solitaire for hours. She taught me how to shuffle cards and how to play solitaire.

·         Today it seems that most play solitaire on computers. Kids at school. Laptops.

·         Solitaire a waste of time. Seems to me that we have to be pretty hard-up for entertainment to resort to such an idle pursuit. Last time I played was when I was laid-up with my broken ankle.

·         Solitaire is a game for how many people? One, of course. Hence the name--solitaire!

Solitaire for one is a waste of time. But solitaire for two . . .

·         To the text. Another day is dawning in the Galilean village of Capernaum. It's Sunday morning. And we find Jesus alone with his Father.

·         What had happened the day before? Trip to synagogue. Jesus was teaching. Now from time-to-time worship services are interrupted—a baby cries—a cell phone rings. But that Sabbath in the synagogue, a man under the influence of an evil spirit stops everything as he cries out (vv. 23-24). Well, Jesus basically tells the demon to shut-up and casts it out. And then home to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law, Mark tells us, has a fever. So, Jesus heals her. And that evening the whole town had come to visit. Clearly Mark is exaggerating to make a point—a whole lotta folks came to see this intriguing Galilean named Jesus. And for healing. And for the removal of demonic influence. That had to be draining on Jesus.

·         So on Sunday morning, Jesus drew aside to a lonely place. Early! Mark: while it was still dark. Last watch of the night, between 3 and 6 a.m. (ATR). Not to play cards. To be with the Father. To pray. He needed that time alone, just him and his Father.

·         Just playing solitaire for the sake of passing time is a waste of time, but passing that time (time of solitude, if you will) without the cards and with the Father is never a waste of time.

·         How about you? You think you need that quiet time with God? For prayer? For conversation—just between you and the Father?

·         Camping Trip with Daniel (5) Several years ago. Working fulltime as accountant and part-time as minister of music, working on Master’s—busy! Took off one Friday. Loaded down the bed of my Ranger pickup with camping gear. Left about 5:30 with my son to Bull Shoals. Got there. Blazing hot. Thunderstorm. Spent night in tent. Got up next morning. Traveled to Blanchard Springs. Swimming in ice cold water. Traveled home. Stopped at Wendy’s. Daniel sleeping. Leaned back in seat. What a sight! Got back late Saturday night. Why? To get away? To spend some time in N. Arkansas? To be with my son?

·         Why does Jesus get alone with the Father?

·         Relationship. Relationships take time. Uninterrupted time. Jesus had to get away from the folks and be alone with his Father. And so do we.

Going One-on-One with God is about Relationship

·         But there’s something else to consider:

·         Is 40:28-31 (NIV) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

·         Jesus had been quite busy, as we’ve already seen. Teaching, healing, casting out demons, and getting alone with the Father provided new energy/strength for the task ahead. So, you see:

Going One-on-One with God is about Renewal

·         This old world wears on us—wears us down.

·         Folks cursing in Wal-Mart parking lot.

·         We need to draw aside to be alone with God so that he will renew our strength.

·         But, to do so is quite a challenge. You knew that though, right?

Conclusion

·         Living the Christ-centered Life Between Walden and the Whirlwind (Jean Fleming) "We live in a noisy, busy world. Silence and solitude are not twentieth-century words. They fit the era of Victorian lace, high-button shoes, and kerosene lamps better than our age of television, video arcades, and joggers wired with earphones. We have become a people with an aversion to quiet and an uneasiness with being alone".

·         Guilty as charged!! At home (TV). In the car (radio).

·         Many of you live alone. Many of you can find time to be alone. But let me ask you, are you truly alone? That is, are all distractions removed?

·         What are the potential distractions that threaten your solitude?

o    Telephone (landline and cell)

o    Television

o    Radio

o    Unexpected visitors (Fed-Ex, neighbors, little kids selling stuff for school)

o    Equipment (Weed-Eaters, blowers, lawn mowers)

o    Loud cars going down the street (music blaring, in need of a muffler)

o    Chores that need doing

·         It takes discipline to get totally alone with God, especially in our culture. Spiritual discipline of solitude and its twin: silence.

·         We have to intentionally enter into silence and solitude. So, that’s the challenge before us. To commit to silence and solitude each day.