Mark 1:32-39

Mark 1:32-39 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 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. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else — to the nearby villages — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

This passage reveals Jesus' work ethic. After sunset he was working; very early in the morning, "while it was still dark" he was praying; and then Jesus tells the disciples, “Let us go somewhere else — to the nearby villages — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Jesus' mission to bring grace to the people didn't come without a cost. Grace requires effort. Sometimes we want to fulfill our Christian service, our ministry of grace, without much of a cost. We want to experience a Christian life on our terms, maybe in our Lazy-boy rocking chairs. But notice Jesus: He ministered late at night when he was tired; He got up early and prayed when he still needed rest; He traveled to another city to minister when his body was weary. Grace cost him. Jesus delivered God's grace when he ministered, bringing unmerited favor to the people. He healed their bodies, prayed for their restoration, and taught them about God's love and mercy. Grace in the form of Jesus walked the roads of Israel, ministered in the synagogues and homes, and gathered people at every crossroad and rest area to reveal the kingdom of God to them. Grace cost Jesus in body and spirit. He ministered out of his weakness most of the time, not out of rest and strength. But the Word of God and the will of God were his strength. He came to do the will of God, to deliver the Word. He came to tell the people that the kingdom of God is near. His mission to bring the Father's love and mercy was his motivation. Demons were quieted, various diseases were driven out, sorrow was wiped away. Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to give people unmerited peace and a relationship with God. With his blood, He paved over that scarred battlefield that separated man from God. But for the man Jesus, it was a costly battle of effort and dying daily.

Today, we still have that grace walking among us in the form of God's living church. The body of Christ is alive and well. But the body of Christ is a body of constant effort. The church of Jesus Christ the risen Lord works tirelessly, ministers late at night, gets up early in the morning for prayer, and seeks out the lost and dying daily. We are the body of Christ; each of us is a part of that body. Delivering grace to a sick and dying world takes effort and unrelenting commitment. Let each of us fulfill the mission of the body of Christ by working hard and tirelessly. James said, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:14-19) Today, believers say, "We must walk our talk." People are watching to see if there is reality behind our good words. Jesus said they would know we are Christians by our love. . . Who does God want us to love today regardless of the cost?