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. Mark 1:35

In this descriptive sentence, Christ’s example of how to live with a quiet heart in a noisy world is captured.  In Part 1 of our series, we introduced the relevance and importance of this verse.  In this entry, the background and context will be explored, in order to form a foundation from which to build on in future entries.   

To understand the relevance of the teaching principles in this passage, we need to survey where it is placed in the book of Mark….where we find it in the story of Jesus’ life.  

A quick glance at the context reveals that this verse is sandwiched between two desciptions of ministry heavy, and likely exhausting, days.  Mark’s gospel at this point has Jesus beginning his ministry work, perhaps establishing long term patterns for his daily schedule.  From what we read, it begins with teaching in the synagogue in the morning (Mk 1:21-22), followed by the casting out of a demon (vs. 25), continuing with a miraculous healing (vs. 31), and into the evening He was healing many sick people (vs. 32).  A heavy day to be sure!  For me, an exhausting day is merely preaching a message in the morning and following it up with teaching in the evening.  

Immediately after our passage, Mark makes it clear that there was much more work for Jesus to do the following day.  Verse 36 says, “Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’”

Our focus verse comes to us in the midst of these 2 intensely demanding days in Jesus’ ministry.  It is this context that allows us to ask some incredibly relevant questions of Jesus.  

How does the Christ follower handle the busyness of life?  How do we avoid the pitfalls of other peoples expectations in our calling?  How do we prioritize what is most important in our work life?

Mark’s ordering of the rhythm of Christ’s ministry offers us priceless principles to base our lives on, and as the passage continues we see why…

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”  Mark 1:37

After a long day and evening of intense ministry Jesus awakes the next morning with the vision, insight, and discipline to remian focused on His purpose.  Not even the tempting call of need and popularity could disuade Him.  How was Jesus able to remain focused and purposeful in the midst of the hectic pace of daily ministry?  Answering that question is the task of this series, ‘Quiet the Noisy Heart’, and it begs to be continued.  

Lord of all, creator of the rythm of life, teach us to live as You intend.  Teach us to enter into Your rythm, Your clarity of purpose, Your presence.  As the busyness of life tempts us away from You, cling to us and call us again and again.  For Jesus’ sake, Amen.  

That question is relative, and depends primarily on what I believe needs to be accomplished in a day. The real question is, ‘what do I have the time to do today?’

This puts the onus on me, on my decisions and my priorities. It takes the onus off something as unchangeable and uncontrollable as the hours in a day. I think we humans are quick to blame the things we can’t control for our trouble, and slow to recognize that we are largely responsible.

Each day has enough time to do a considerable amount of living. 24 hours is a long time. Don’t believe me…start counting the seconds. The question of how we should live in those hours now takes priority. The answer we come to will be different depending on what we have set up as our guiding principles.

In an ideal day, mine would come from Christ’s call that:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”    
Luke 9:23

If I am do take this seriously, die to my selfish needs and instead live for Christ, then how would I live in this day?

1) Love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength.
2) Love my neighbor as myself

These are the guiding principles for the activities of my day. The question then becomes, ‘is this task accomplishing those ends?’
If not, it should be left at the foot of the cross.