03.11. -Early work in Galilee

Early work in Galilee From the hills of Nazareth, Jesus moved to the fishing villages along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Fishermen from two families had already accepted him as the Messiah, but Jesus now called them to go further. He wanted them to leave their usual occupations and move around with him as part of a select group of helpers he was assembling. The fishermen were Andrew and Peter from one family, and James and John from the other.¹ This was a period of much public activity, and crowds followed Jesus wherever he went. His healing ministry dealt not only with common ailments, but also with incurable diseases like leprosy, uncontrollable disorders like paralysis and epilepsy, and oppressions inflicted by evil spirits.² These healings were indications that in Jesus Christ the kingdom of God had come. That kingdom was neither political nor territorial, but spiritual. It represented the rule or dominion of God, and its power was at work.³

All this activity made heavy demands on Jesus, and therefore he made sure not to allow it to overwhelm him. For many people, work becomes a god because they do not know how to cease from it. But Jesus arose early in the morning, before the crowds began pressing him, so that he could get away from his lodgings and find a quiet place to pray alone. Peter thought he was losing opportunities for ministry, but Jesus knew that in the midst of much work, it was important to have daily times of prayer and quietness.⁴

Such times, free from distraction, are essential for the exercise and nurture of those higher functions of the human spirit. They help maintain a healthy spiritual life through communion with God, and this results in more useful service to others. Amid the turmoil and activity of life, they strengthen that inner peace, tranquillity and stability that Jesus wants all his followers to have.⁵

1. Mark 1:16-20 2. Matthew 4:24-25; Mark 1:21-34; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:17-26 3. Matthew 4:23; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 12:28 4. Mark 1:35-37; cf. Matthew 14:13; Matthew 14:23 5. John 14:27; Php 4:7; Colossians 3:15

He went away to a quiet place and prayed