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Friday May 30 - Let us pray
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
Mark’s gospel is action-packed; it focuses more on what Jesus did than what he taught. The word ‘immediately’ appears more than 35 times, serving to link miracle upon miracle. The Greek word means ‘without delay’, yet we find Jesus rising while it was still dark (possibly 4 am) and going to a solitary place to pray. This was not an isolated occasion. Surely, if Jesus found it necessary to build such prayer times into his routine of life, how much more should we!
On another occasion a disciple asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The disciples knew that Jesus’ effectiveness was built upon these precious times of communion with his heavenly Father. Jesus needed to take time out of his busy schedule to hear from God the Father. Consequently, because of this intimate communion, Jesus confessed to speaking and acting only on the basis of what he had seen and heard (see John 5:19 & 12:49).
When Jesus eventually returned to his now anxious disciples, he purposefully announced, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (v 38). Jesus had heard from heaven so, despite pressure to stay, they were to ‘up sticks’ and move on. Let’s pray:
Father, may I be like Jesus and ‘go into my room, close the door and pray to my Father, who is unseen. Then my Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward me’ (Matthew 6:6). Amen.
Saturday May 31 - Be clean
Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am
willing,” he said, “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him... Mk 1:41-42
For a moment, consider this dear man suffering from leprosy – an outcast in society, reaching out in faith to Jesus. Surprisingly, in the NIV’s rendering, we read that Jesus was ‘indignant’. The majority of other versions translate it as: Jesus was ‘moved with compassion’ or ‘pity’. Could it be that Jesus was filled with indignation and also moved with compassion – indignant at the unjust and unfair attitudes of Jewish society, yet filled with compassion and concern for this man’s tragic circumstances? Leprosy was a serious and highly contagious disease in biblical times. It was not only a physical affliction, but also had significant social and religious ramifications. Leprosy was often linked with spiritual impurity and usually led to exclusion from family and community alike.
By touching the unclean leper Jesus made known to all his compassion and his willingness to engage with those considered as outcasts. His touch broke down social barriers, redefined purity as a heart issue (in the Bible, leprosy was always cleansed, not healed), and demonstrated the transformative power of Jesus’ ministry.
Let’s take a moment to consider the implications for our own lives, especially the importance of compassion for the marginalised, downtrodden and hurting members of society. In this one act, Jesus not only cleanses but he also personifies the supreme values of the kingdom of God, namely mercy, love, and restoration. Let’s do likewise.
Heavenly Father, you have shown me what is good. May I ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly’ before you (Micah 6:8). Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY