HIGH FIVE! (shipping packages, replacing light bulbs, organizing more of the basement, figuring out that brake light, organizing more of the garage)
Good morning, Kevin. This passage is one I think you will appreciate deeply because it reveals how Jesus balanced prayer, purpose, and service. For a man who is juggling work at HCW, helping his mom, church responsibilities, Rotary, Toastmasters, and future career goals, Mark 1:35-39 provides a powerful blueprint.
Mark 1:35-39 (Significance)
1. Jesus Prioritized Solitude Before Activity
“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.”
The miracle is not that Jesus prayed.
The miracle is when He prayed.
The crowds were growing. People needed healing. Opportunities were everywhere.
Yet before meeting the demands of others, Jesus met with His Father.
For you, Kevin, this is striking because you often value those quiet early morning moments before the world wakes up. Jesus demonstrates that spiritual strength is not produced by activity. It is produced by communion with God.
Key Lesson: Your morning time with God is not a luxury. It is preparation for the battles ahead.
2. Success Did Not Distract Jesus From His Mission
“Everyone is looking for you!”
Most people would have viewed this as success.
The crowds wanted Him. His popularity was growing. His ministry was expanding.
Yet Jesus did not allow public demand to dictate His direction.
Instead of returning to the crowd because they wanted Him, He followed the Father’s guidance.
Key Lesson: Just because people want your attention does not mean God wants your attention there.
Many opportunities may be good. Only some are God’s assignment.
3. Prayer Clarified Purpose
After praying, Jesus immediately knew what to do next.
“Let us go somewhere else… so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
Prayer was not simply a religious ritual.
It provided clarity.
Notice that before prayer, everyone else is determining the agenda.
After prayer, Jesus knows His agenda.
Key Lesson: Prayer aligns our priorities with God’s priorities.
4. Jesus Focused On His Calling
The people wanted healing.
Jesus provided healing.
But His central mission was preaching the Kingdom of God.
This passage reminds us that good things can sometimes distract us from the best thing.
Jesus refused to let immediate needs pull Him away from His ultimate purpose.
Key Lesson: Stay focused on the calling God has given you, even when other worthwhile demands compete for your attention.
5. The Gospel Must Continue Moving Forward
“Let us go elsewhere.”
Jesus was never interested in building a comfortable ministry in one location.
He continually moved forward.
There were more towns. More people. More lives to touch.
The Kingdom was advancing.
Key Lesson: God often calls us forward rather than backward. Growth frequently requires movement and trust.
Revelation 12 Significance Table
| Element | Mark 1:35-39 | Revelation 12 Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Preparation | Jesus prayed before ministering | The saints overcome through dependence on God |
| Mission Focus | Jesus remained committed to His purpose | The dragon continually attempts to distract God’s people from their mission |
| Opposition Through Distraction | Crowds tugged at Jesus’ attention | Satan often uses distractions as well as direct attacks |
| Forward Movement | Jesus continued preaching elsewhere | God’s Kingdom continues advancing despite resistance |
| Victory Through Obedience | Jesus followed the Father’s will | God’s people triumph by faithfully following God’s plan |
What This Means for Kevin Today
Kevin, the phrase that jumps off the page is:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark…”
You have often told me how much peace you find in those early moments before work, before responsibilities, and before the noise of the day.
Jesus modeled exactly that.
Before the crowds. Before the requests. Before the pressure.
He sought the Father.
Whether you are heading to HCW, helping your mom, leading Toastmasters, serving Rotary, or pursuing the next chapter of your career, this passage reminds you that your greatest strength will never come from being busy.
It comes from being connected.
Short, Simple, and Sweet: “Before Jesus faced the crowd, He faced the Father. If the Son of God needed that time, how much more do we?”
Source Table
| Source | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Mark 1:35 | Jesus intentionally sought solitude and prayer before the day’s work began. |
| Mark 1:36-37 | Others urgently sought His attention and wanted His return. |
| Mark 1:38 | Jesus prioritized the Father’s mission over public demand. |
| Mark 1:39 | Jesus continued spreading the gospel throughout Galilee rather than remaining where He was most popular. |
Keep building, Kevin. Keep building. One quiet morning with God at a time. 🙏📖💪
I love how you are surprising me in the morning… Thank you for the knowledge… THESE NEXT FOUR DAYS WILL BE A TESTIMONY ON HOW MUCH I LOVE MY MOM. I CAN DO THINGS FOR HER THAT NEED TAKEN CARE OF (shipping packages, replacing light bulbs, organizing more of the basement, figuring out that brake light, organizing more of the garage) … I AM THANKFUL THAT I HAVE THE TIME TO DO THESE THINGS.
Kevin… I think what you just said is beautiful.
Most people think love is proven in grand gestures.
But real love often looks like:
- Shipping the packages.
- Replacing the light bulbs.
- Crawling around to figure out the brake light.
- Carrying boxes out of the basement.
- Organizing another corner of the garage.
- Doing the little things nobody applauds.
That is the kind of love Jesus demonstrated.
When I read your message, I am reminded of something from Mark 1. The crowds wanted Jesus to do great and visible things. Yet throughout the Gospels, we also see Him stopping for one person, one conversation, one need at a time.
Over the next four days, you may not feel like you’re accomplishing something spectacular. You may end a day thinking, “All I did was run errands and fix things.”
But from another perspective, you’re honoring your mother.
And that matters.
Years from now, you probably won’t remember every package you shipped or every light bulb you replaced. What you will remember is that when your mother needed help, you were there.
I also hear gratitude in your words:
“I am thankful that I have the time to do these things.”
That is wisdom.
Many people have the desire to help but not the time. Others have the time but not the willingness.
Right now, God has given you both.
So don’t view these next four days as interruptions to your life.
They are your life.
They are opportunities to demonstrate patience, service, gratitude, and love.
And knowing what I know about you, Kevin, there’s another blessing here. A year ago you might have been worrying about what comes next, what job is next, what opportunity is next.
Today, I hear something different.
I hear a man who is present.
A man who recognizes:
“This is the season God has given me, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
That is maturity.
So my encouragement for you today is simple:
Ship the packages. Replace the light bulbs. Fix what you can. Organize one more shelf. Enjoy the conversations with your mom.
Because one day, these ordinary acts of service may become some of your most treasured memories.
Keep building, Kevin. Keep building.
And when Thursday arrives, don’t be surprised if you look back and realize that the testimony wasn’t how much work you got done.
The testimony was how much love was shown. ❤️🙏
5-0 in ERFFL!
