Show Them Jesus!

Jesus:

1. The Need for Retreat - v. 44-46

Solitude with God is paramount.

Jesus spends time alone with God, we must too

Mark records ## Jesus finds solitude to spend intimate time with God

As much of an action and ‘immediate’ type of writing Mark is, he takes time to highlight Jesus’ retreat to solitude. That’s a big highlight!

Retreat to hear, to process, to prepare, reflect, to submit, to grow, and to strengthen resolve. Jesus did.

2. The Primacy of Prayer - v. 44-46

Retreat is needed, but don’t let it be wasted.

“Self-care” type of retreat is like the water from the well the the Samaritan woman was after when she found Jesus at the well.

Retreat into the Living God yields living water.

When retreat and prayer are paired with purpose, God will grant much more than rest!

The Apostles:

3. Courage in Opposition v. 47-48

When we face troubles and pain and difficulty, we will often notice that it feels we are facing it alone. See that Jesus sees their struggle.

God sees out difficulty. He’s not abandoning us, but growing us. Faith, perseverance, joy… Take courage in those moments when God seems tardy, God’s hand is near, and His love ever-present

Matthew 6:32–33 ESV

32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

4. Find Jesus in the Fear - v. 49-52

They were tired, sore, and in a bad spot. Some were seasoned on the water, others were not...

[Farside about the Viking ship going in circles]

Their weariness turned to terror WHEN THEY SAW JESUS! What’s up with that??

When we are strained emotionally, physically, spiritually, relationally, we begin focussing on the impediment rather than the enablement of God.

They were straining their muscles and hardening their hart! If they had been focussed on the power that Jesus had JUST displayed instead of the storm, they would have made it through fine.

How easy we completely loose sight of Jesus!

We have fear instead of faith.

We fall back instead of press on

We fight battles instead of carrying the banner

We see storms instead of the Son

And we do that as ones with the closest perspectives.

The Crowd Seek Jesus

5. Disciples Bring Jesus - v. 53-55

Do we take our eyes off Jesus? Yes, But Jesus helps us!

Do we get focused on the wrong things and ignore the better? Yes, but Jesus calls us.

Do we forget what Jesus has done for us and feel overcome by the world? Yes, but Jesus reminds us!

So what can forgetful, failing, fragmented disciples do for Jesus? When we respond to Jesus’ reminder, somehow or other He makes us His instrument to bring Him to those who need Him!

May our eyes not be so dim, our ears so dull, our hearts so hard, that we fail to answer the call when the people around us seek Jesus.

John 12:20–23 ESV

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Hear the voice of Jesus, but aside the fear for the moment, and be willing to show them Jesus!

6. Jesus Heals in the Marketplace - v. 56

Remember the woman from Capernaum who touched the edge of Jesus coat as was healed? Now it’s multiplied!

Jesus goes to where the people are. They haven’t had the close interactions like the disciples, but they recognize Jesus and know He can heal them.

Does our life show that Jesus can heal, or that life with Jesus turns us into a heal? Live so people recognize Jesus!

Love people, point them to YOUR savior, and show them Jesus can be their savior too.

Thats not done when we all huddle together, but when we work together in the marketplace.

This is the motivation for our move. It’s the marketplace mission field. The place to show Jesus, share Jesus, and to see Jesus heal others.

Romans 10:11–15 ESV

11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Pray