Daily Devotions
Mark
2 Peter 1:4b "That through these you may be partakers of the divine nature"
Day 150 – Mark 6
“That through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” 2 Peter 1:4b
FINDING THE NEED TO BE ALONE FOR PRAYER
From time to time, Jesus would withdraw from even His own disciples for special communion with His Father in prayer. After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus felt that He wanted to be alone for a while.
“Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat
and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida,
while He sent the multitudes away.
And when He had sent them away, He departed
to the mountain to pray.”
MARK 6:45-46
1. Only Jesus could send the multitudes away amicably
The Disciples had never tried sending the multitudes away. That would have been a tough task to perform. The multitudes would accept their dismissal more easily if it came from Jesus personally.
2. The Disciples were to go to Bethsaida
They did not ask Jesus how He would get over to Bethsaida, if they took the boat with them!
3. Departed to the mountain to pray
There are many reasons why Jesus had His own spiritual retreat. The following reasons may be highlighted:-
a) Perhaps the performance of mighty miracles exacted a toll on Jesus
We do not know for sure what energy Jesus expended each time He performed a mighty miracle.
i) Was there a strong emotional discharge of energy?
ii) Was He also physically tired out after having ministered for the whole day?
b) Perhaps He just missed being alone with His Heavenly Father
i) Ministering to the crowds was His Father’s will.
ii) Prayer-communion with His Father was something Jesus never missed out on no matter how busy each day may be!
ENDING THE DAY
How did the multitudes end the day? Did they wonder about the miracle they had seen performed before their very eyes? How about the disciples? Only Jesus felt that He needed time out to be with His Father! Miracles would never be fully appreciated, unless one took time out to reflect on them prayerfully.