And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
(Mark 1:35-39 ESV)

Prayer is priority in this paragraph of Scripture, but there is a deeper meaning than what appears on the surface that I would like to articulate to you.

First of all, notice that Simon (Peter) is beginning to take a leadership role as a follower of Christ.  Notice also that Peter has the right heart.  Peter sees all of these people in need of healing and in bondage to evil and he desires to see them healed and set free.  Peter is beginning to get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God is all about – love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.  He still does not fully understand, but he is getting a glimpse of it and he desires that people experience the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.  So Peter and others with him go looking for Jesus.  They know that Jesus is the answer, but He has disappeared!  What were they to do with all of these people that still needed healing and deliverance?

When Peter finds Jesus praying, He couldn’t believe it.  The actual Greek here has tones of a sense of hostile pursuing.  It was like Peter was saying “What are you doing here?  Everyone is looking for you!  Don’t you know that there is still work to be done?  People are in need!”

Notice how Jesus responds to Peter.  Jesus said "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."  Jesus is showing through His words and actions that He was not following Peter.  He was not doing it Peter’s way and He was not on Peter’s time schedule.  Peter was called to follow Jesus.  Jesus says here that His main focus is to preach the same sermon in every town - “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).”

Peter would eventually learn to follow.  It would not be an easy lesson, as it’s not an easy one for most of us, but he would learn to follow Christ.  And when he does, he will reach his full potential in the Kingdom while using his words and actions to reveal the Kingdom to others. 

Follow Jesus friends.  Follow Jesus.  Don't expect Him to follow you.  If you do expect Him to follow you, you will be highly disappointed.

Know that you are loved,
gaj