What Jesus Did! 'Pressures of Caring' — Mark 1:35-37

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you."
— Mark 1:35-37 NLT
Illustration of Mark 1:35-37 NLT — "Everyone is looking for you."

Key Thought

We need quiet time with God, especially so when ministry involves working with people. In the previous verses in Mark 1, Jesus has been highly involved in people-intensive ministry as he taught, preached, healed, and cast out demons. This work was exhausting. Yet there is always more work with people than any one of us can complete. There will always be another need, broken heart, hurting soul, and desperate problem. For us to continue to minister, we desperately need to get alone and be with God to renew our relationship, to restore our souls, and to rekindle our passion in the presence of God.

Today's Prayer

Father, I don't have the pressure or crush of people that your Son faced in his ministry. However, I know I need to follow his example and get away to center myself in your will and be rekindled by time in your presence. Help me become more disciplined as I commit my life to serve others as my Lord did. In Jesus' name and for his cause, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Mark 6:30-31
  • Psalm 23:1-3
  • Lamentations 3:22-26

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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