“… and there He prayed”

The title refers to Jesus.  But where is the “THERE” that this verse of scripture is referring to?

Mark 1:35 (NKJV) — 35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

This is one of my favorite verses of scripture. This verse gives us such a beautiful picture of our Savior. This was a norm for Him. He was constantly getting away and finding a solitary place to pray. He separated Himself from distractions, disruptions, and detractors.  His goal was simple: He wanted and needed to be alone to commune with God the Father.  Here are other scriptures showing how much this was a part of who He was while walking among us:

• Mark 6:46 — And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.
• Luke 5:16 — So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
• Luke 9:28 — Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
• Luke 4:42 — Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place.
• Matthew 14:23 — And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
• John 6:15— Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
• AND we have a Model of Jesus’ Praying in John 17.
• AND … we know that He often went to Gethsemane to pray.  AND .. before He was betrayed, beaten, and crucified WHERE WAS JESUS?  Alone Praying to the Father.

“Now in the morning, while it was still dark” – most likely this refers to the last watch of the night, sometime between 3am-6am. For most of us, this is the only time when our schedules are not pressing down on us. It’s the only time when we are not being pulled by others. This was the case with Jesus. The demands on Him had begun the evening prior to this Sunday morning. He knew the demands in Capernaum would continue at daybreak, so he went “there.”  We learn that for Jesus, “Solitary Prayer” is more important than any other activity, including sleep. It is also more important than pleasing the demands of people. If you are putting the demands of people above the need to go “there” with God the Father, then it is time to re-evaluate your priorities and time management. It’s also an indication that you need to keep reading this post.

“a solitary place” – interestingly this is the same Greek word that is translated “wilderness” four other times in this same chapter. Go ahead, lean back and whisper, “That’s interesting.” I understand why the translators decided to use in this context the word “solitary” rather than “wilderness.” The former conveys the meaning in the contextual setting. Yet, there is a valuable piece missing if you don’t realize the connection with this Greek word and what it could being conveying. Yes, Jesus went off to a secluded place alone to pray. That is the main picture that we’re to get, but that is not the only picture we’re to see in the narrative.

Throughout Scripture the reference to the wilderness denotes a time and place when God meets His people. We see this in the Old Testament and in this first chapter of the Gospel of Mark. When Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit He was not alone. He was with God the Father, and of course the Holy Spirit.  I think many of us have a picture that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness and dropped Him off, kind of like–“Okay, Jesus, You’re on Your own from here for the next 40 days.” Grab the eraser and remove that picture from your imagination. The Holy Godhead was in communion in the wilderness for 40 days. God the Father and God the Spirit did not forsake God the Son for 40 days.

In Scripture, the wilderness not only refers to a place where God meets with His people, but it also denotes a time and place of struggle. A time of testing and trial, and God meeting His people there with mercy and grace. We make the mistake of viewing a wilderness ordeal as completely negative. Where in fact it is a time of meeting God. Where God meets us in our struggles, tests, trials, and limitations. Do not despise the Wilderness. Rather, look to meet God there!

Mark used this word that is translated “wilderness” three times when pointing out Jesus’ time of prayer. Besides Mark 1:35, he uses is in Mark 6:46 after Jesus walked on the water, and in 14:32–42 while in Gethsemane. All three were times of crisis when Jesus was tempted to take an easy way rather than that of suffering and death. In our text of Mark 1:35, He had become famous. His healings and casting out of demons had the city clamoring over him. The celebrity status was upon Him. But He didn’t want this. It appeared that the people of Israel were ready to follow Him as Messiah and Savior, yet Jesus knew the hearts of men and that this wasn’t true. He needed to strengthen His focus–His focus on the purpose for which He came.  Coming out of this wilderness time Jesus was ready and resolute. When the disciples found Jesus “there” they wanted to take Him back to the crowds of people and put Him in the spotlight. But Jesus blew them away by rejecting the celebrity status and limelight. Verse 38 is Jesus’ response to His new PR group:

Mark 1:38 (NKJV) — 38 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.”

Application?

We have a myriad of reasons to go “there.” That is, to get away to a solitary place to commune with God the Father. We are reminded in Jesus’ example that when we are being pressed in by distractions, disruptions, and detractors, that we should get away and look to our God to meet us in our wilderness. A good night’s sleep is essential, but more essential is to be strengthened within and renewed in our priorities and purposes. Physical strength will wear down and if the heart is not built up and strong we will stumble in our mortal weaknesses. There is no strength and peace to compare to that which can only come from solitary time, quality time, with God. He has promised to meet you in the wilderness. If you are His child, He is faithful to be with you. He will uphold you, carry, strengthen you. He will be your God.

Going forward do not despise your wilderness experience. God meets you there. This is where He strengthens, encourages, and prepares you. This is where He comforts and heals. This is where He guides and lights your path.

Two promises from our God:

Matthew 6:6. Meet God the Father in the secret place (an idiom, literally “in the hidden”), meaning away from distractions, disruptions, and detractors, and He will reward you openly.

Hebrews 11:6.  He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It can be tough to seek Him when you’re weak, frail, or distracted and weighed down. But this is the time, THE TIME, to follow Jesus’ example in Mark 1:35. Go and find the rest, strength, cleansing–whatever it is His grace provides, as His reward for seeking Him. Meet God “there!”