Jesus' Act-Of-Articulation

Jesus, and his disciples go from the synagogue and, continued his long night of healing and driving out demons. They were at the disciples’ home.  And people were bring all kinds of needy folks to Jesus to do healing, and driving out demons.  

One interesting thing, in this part of the story, is once again about demons.   It says: he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.  

One question people ask about this is:  “Why do you suppose he did not want others to know him?” 

However, that is not the point I want to discuss this morning. The point I think is important is what Jesus did after all of the activity had calmed down. Because he does a bit of subtle teaching. 

It is what I call “an act-of-articulation.”  

Teaching by example!

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.

He went away from the crowd and “prayed!”

An extremely key point at the very beginning of Jesus ministry!

Praying is the source of much conversation in our faith journey.  It is something that folks don’t feel comfortable doing, especially out loud, or talking about.  Some people think that it is a useless activity.  Others believe that it is away for them to let God know what they want.  Others want classes on the “right way to pray.”  Some simply don’t believe that prayer works.

SO! What do you think?

 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." 38 He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.”(Mk. 1)